5 July 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

A prehistoric monument consisting of three round enclosures, one of which resembles a horseshoe, was discovered in France

Archaeologists from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) unearthed an unusual, prehistoric monument in the shape of a horseshoe during excavations in Marliens, a commune located about 200 miles southeast of Paris.

Inrap archaeologists carried out an excavation in Marliens, about twenty kilometers east of Dijon, before the extension of a gravel pit (Eqiom) in the Ouche valley, a tributary of the Saône.

The three areas excavated, representing a combined surface area of 60,000 m², revealed a series of occupations spanning from the Neolithic to the Early Iron Age.

Among the findings was a monument composed of three round enclosures, one of which resembles a horseshoe. At the center of the monument was a circular enclosure measuring 11 m in diameter. To the north, a horseshoe-shaped enclosure 8 m long adjoined the circular enclosure, and to the south, an open enclosure adjoined the central enclosure. The presence of a layer of gravel in the fill of the two side enclosures indicates the existence of a palisade. The different stratigraphic sections indicate that the three enclosures are contemporary.

General view of the Marliens site, with the triple monument at the bottom of the image. Photo: Jérôme Berthet / INRAP
General view of the Marliens site, with the triple monument at the bottom of the image. Photo: Jérôme Berthet / INRAP

The structure has no known parallel, and researchers are not sure how old it is or what it might have been used for, INRAP officials said. However, some flint artifacts were discovered nearby, indicating it might have been constructed sometime in the Neolithic period, which began around 7000 B.C. in Europe.

Experts are awaiting the results of radiocarbon analysis to determine the precise chronology of the monument.

Additionally, numerous artifacts connected to the Bell Beaker period, which began approximately 4,500 years ago, were discovered nearby. Among these were seven flint arrowheads, a pair of archer’s armbands, a flint lighter, and a copper alloy dagger, officials said.

Seven flint arrowheads were among the artifacts found, officials said. Photo: Pauline Rostollan, Inrap
Seven flint arrowheads were among the artifacts found, officials said. Photo: Pauline Rostollan, Inrap

Residues of “iron oxide” corresponding to pyrite, an essential element for igniting fire, were observed on one of the bracelets. The combination of these objects often indicates a burial, but researchers weren’t able to verify this hypothesis.

Also found was a gravesite dating from between 1500 and 1300 B.C. that had five circular enclosures, one of which was sealed. According to officials, the largest enclosure held the remnants of a funeral pyre. Nearby, there were also shards of ceramic and a necklace made of amber beads.

A bracelet discovered during the excavation of a cremation. Photo:  Luc Staniaszek, Inrap
A bracelet discovered during the excavation of a cremation. Photo: Luc Staniaszek, Inrap

The ashes of six Iron Age cremations were found at a different gravesite some 1,300 feet distant. Additionally, a few of the urns held jewelry, like rings and bracelets.

According to the release, additional research will be done on the uncovered artifacts to learn more about their history and intended uses.

INRAP

Cover Photo: Jérôme Berthet, Inrap

Related Articles

Researchers may have found 3,000-year-old evidence of Yue (Amputation), one of the five punishments practiced in ancient China

4 May 2022

4 May 2022

According to the South China Morning Post, researchers in China believe a skeleton discovered in a tomb in the country’s...

An inscription written in both runic and Latin script on a church wall in Denmark turned out to be still a legally significant promissory note

31 May 2023

31 May 2023

An inscription in both runic and Latin script on a church wall in Denmark turned out to be legally valid...

Archaeologists found a mysterious stone tablet in Georgia that contains an unknown language

5 December 2024

5 December 2024

Archaeologists have unearthed a basalt tablet with inscriptions in an unknown language near Lake Bashplemi, in the Dmanisi region of...

A 3,400-year-old Pyramid from the Scythian-Saka period found in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan

2 November 2023

2 November 2023

A pyramid belonging to the Scythian-Saka period was found in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan. Experts announced that the Karajartas...

Archaeologists Unveil Sanctuary of Odysseus on Ithaca: A Monumental Discovery Rooted in Myth and History

15 June 2025

15 June 2025

A major archaeological breakthrough on the Greek island of Ithaca has brought new clarity to the island’s legendary past. Researchers...

Remains of a Submerged Roman Harbor Discovered in Slovenia

7 March 2024

7 March 2024

Archaeologists from the Institute of Underwater Archaeology (ZAPA) have uncovered the remains of a submerged Roman harbor, off the coast...

Rare Ancient Bone Game found in Israel “Astragali”

18 August 2022

18 August 2022

Archaeologists have found a rare assemblage of animal knucklebones known as astragali used in ancient Greek games and divination in...

A 2000-year-old wooden figure was unearthed in a Buckinghamshire ditch

13 January 2022

13 January 2022

An extremely rare, carved wooden figure from the early Roman era has been discovered in a waterlogged ditch during work...

Feline and anthropomorphic 29 new geoglyphs discovered in Peru

21 December 2023

21 December 2023

In Ica, a region south of Lima on the coast of Peru, 29 geoglyphs were found by an archaeologist from...

Karahantepe; It will radically change the way we look at the Neolithic Age

1 June 2022

1 June 2022

Findings on settled village life in the ongoing excavations in Karahantepe will profoundly change our knowledge of the Neolithic Age....

Turkish researchers to work in Mount Ağrı believed to host Noah’s Ark remains

15 December 2022

15 December 2022

A team from Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) and Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ) has started in the area where the...

3,700-Year-Old Bronze Age Ceremonial Site Discovered in Derbyshire, in Northern England

23 March 2025

23 March 2025

In a remarkable revelation, archaeologists have uncovered that the Farley Moor stone, previously thought to be a solitary monument, is...

1600-Year-Old Rare Roman Glass Diatreta with Gladiator Scene Unearthed in Doclea, Montenegro

13 June 2025

13 June 2025

An extraordinary archaeological discovery has been made in the ancient Roman city of Doclea, located near Podgorica, Montenegro. During recent...

3.300-year-old Hittite Inscription was Used in Gate Construction

10 May 2021

10 May 2021

Our cultural assets become victims of ignorance one by one. The works that will illuminate the darkness of history continue...

A basement discovered on the premises of the ruins of Hitoyoshi Castle in Japan could be a Jewish bathing facility!

7 December 2022

7 December 2022

Experts are still indecisive about why there was a bathing area in the basement which was discovered on the site...