The remains of a child from a well-to-do family and his 2,000-year-old companion dog were discovered by archaeologists in France.
The baby, who is estimated to be one year old, was found in Aulnat, in the Auvergne region of central France, by a team that studied a planned airport expansion.
The remains date back to the 1st century AD, when France would have been under Roman rule.
They were accompanied by numerous objects, including clay pots, animal parts and a small toy, as well as a puppy wearing a decorative necklace.
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The remains of a 2,000-year-old baby, estimated at about a year old, were found in Aulnat, in the Auvergne region of central France. The body was surrounded by a large number of animal offerings and objects, which suggested that they were of a high social standing.
According to the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), “this profusion of crockery and butchery items, as well as the personal effects that followed the child to his grave, underscore the privileged rank to which his family belonged. “.
This site was discovered in December as part of the preventive excavations carried out by INRAP before its construction at Clermont-Ferrand airport.
In the tomb were discovered evidence of a wooden coffin, surrounded by animal sacrifices, including half a pig, different cuts of pork and two headless chickens.
Twenty terracotta vases and different glass pots in the tomb may contain medicine, cosmetics or the funeral banquet part for the child, while researchers believe a one-foot-long iron hoop attached to a bent metal rod was a toy or part of a game.
Archaeologists discovered the burial site while inspecting the area for a planned expansion at Clermont-Ferrand Airport.
Half a pig, several pork slices and two headless chickens were found buried with the body. The skeleton of a dog with a decorated collar was placed on what would have been the child’s coffin foot
A baby tooth of an older child, possibly an older sibling, was also found.
The skeleton of a puppy was found in what would have been the base of the coffin, with a necklace with bronze decorations and a small bell.
A map indicating where the remains were found. Since November, archaeological surveys near Clermont-Ferrand Airport have uncovered articles from the Iron Age, the High Middle Ages and other eras.
“The association of a dog with a small child is well documented in a funerary context, but here the necklace and bell are unusual,” according to archaeologists.
They call the discovery “exceptional” and believe it is the burial place of the oldest child discovered in France.
It dates from the reigns of Emperor Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) or Tiberius (14-37 AD), a few decades after the birth of Jesus.
In Roman Gaul — present-day France, Belgium, and parts of western Germany — adults are said to have been cremated, but children were often buried in family lands.
Chief archaeologist Laurence Lautier said the large number of offerings buried with the child was unusual.
About twenty terracotta vases and glass jars were found. They are believed to have contained cosmetics, medicines or the deceased’s part of the funeral party
The child is said to have lived during the reigns of Emperor Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) or Tiberius (14-37 AD), a few decades after the birth of Jesus.
In Roman Gaul – present-day France, Belgium and parts of western Germany – adults are said to have been cremated, but children were often buried on farms.
“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 lots of food deals.”
Lautier said this means a high social class, “a family that was clearly very rich.”
Since November, surveys in the area have spawned elements of the Iron Age, the High Middle Ages and other eras.
Excavations are expected to be completed next month.