The 2,000-year-old remains of a child from a wealthy family and their pet dog were discovered by archaeologists in France.
The child, estimated to be one year old, was found in Aulnat, in the Auvergne region of central France, by a research team for a planned expansion of the airport.
The vestiges date from the first century AD, when France would be under Roman rule.
They were accompanied by numerous objects – including clay pots, animal parts and a small toy – as well as a dog wearing a decorative collar.
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The remains of a 2,000-year-old child, estimated to be about a year old, were found in Aulnat, in the Auvergne region of central France. The body was surrounded by a plethora of offerings of animals and objects, suggesting that they were of high social standing
“Such a profusion of crockery and quartered items, as well as the personal objects that accompanied the child to the grave, show the privileged position to which his family belonged”, according to the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP).
This tomb was discovered in December as part of preventive excavations carried out by INRAP before construction at Clermont-Ferrand airport.
Evidence of a wooden coffin was discovered at the grave, surrounded by animal sacrifices, including half a pig, different cuts of pig and two headless chickens.
Twenty terracotta pots and assorted glass jars in the grave may contain medicine, cosmetics or the children’s portion of the funeral banquet, while researchers believe a 30-centimeter iron hoop attached to a folded metal bar was a toy or part of a game .
Archaeologists discovered the cemetery site while researching the area for a planned expansion at Clermont-Ferrand airport
Half a pig, several pig cuts and two headless chickens were found buried with the body. The skeleton of a dog with a decorated collar was located on what would be the foot of the child’s coffin
A baby tooth belonging to an older child was also found, possibly belonging to an older brother.
The skeleton of a dog was found in what would be the base of the coffin, wearing a collar with bronze ornaments and a small bell.
A map indicating where the remains were located. Since November, archaeological surveys near Clermont-Ferrand airport have uncovered items from the Iron Age, High Middle Ages and other eras
“The association of a dog with a small child is well documented in a funeral context, but here it is the collar and bell that are unusual,” according to archaeologists.
They call the discovery ‘exceptional’ and believe it is the oldest child cemetery discovered in France.
It dates from the reigns of Emperor Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) or Tiberius (14 -37 AD), just decades after Jesus’ birth.
In Gaul in the Roman era – in modern day France, Belgium and parts of western Germany – adults would be cremated, but children used to be buried on family land.
Chief archaeologist Laurence Lautier said the large number of offerings buried with the child was unusual.
About twenty terracotta vases, as well as glass jars were found. Believed to contain cosmetics, drugs or the deceased’s part of the funeral party
The child would have lived during the reigns of Emperor Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) or Tiberius (14 – 37 AD), just decades after the birth of Jesus
In Gaul of the Roman era – in modern day France, Belgium and parts of western Germany – adults would be cremated, but children used to be buried in family properties
“In this type of tomb, we often find one or two pots placed at the foot,” Lautier told AFP. ‘There are about 20 here, as well as many food offerings.’
This denotes a high social class, said Lautier, ‘a family that was clearly very wealthy’.
Since November, research in the area has revealed items from the Iron Age, High Middle Ages and other times.
Excavations are expected to end next month.