Construction of a new exit for the Port Royal Metro station has given archaeologists a second chance to study an ancient burial site that was opened in 1800s construction, but then lost after ‘valuable’ objects were removed.
The site, with more than fifty graves believed to date from about 2000 years ago, was used by the Parisii, a Gallic tribe that lived in the area and came under Roman rule in the town the Romans called Lutetia.
Along with the skeletons and remains of wooden coffins found in the site, scientists have uncovered ceramic jugs and goblets used as grave offerings along with remains from animal sacrifice.
One area of the dig was not found during the earlier excavation, and has given fresh new clues to life among the Parisii, whose history was described by Camille Colonna, an anthropologist at the national archaeological institute as “generally not well known.” She said that “This will allow us to understand the life of the Parisii through their funeral rites, as well as their health by studying their DNA.”
