14 June 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

A 2700-year-old collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects found in Bükk in northwestern Hungary

2 October 2024

2 October 2024

An excavation project led by a university team specializing in the Bronze and Iron Ages in Bükk in northwestern Hungary,...

New research reveals the true function of Bronze Age daggers

30 April 2022

30 April 2022

A new study led by Newcastle University has revealed that the analysis of Bronze Age daggers has shown that they...

14,000 years old vessels made by Hunter-gatherers in Japan

1 May 2022

1 May 2022

The Late Pleistocene inhabitants of Tanegashima Island were making pottery about 14,000 years ago. In the Jomon period, people obtained...

Archaeologists discover the Americas’ oldest adobe architecture

7 December 2021

7 December 2021

On the north coast of Peru, researchers have discovered the oldest adobe architecture in the Americas, constructed with ancient mud...

A 2,500-year-old celestial map carved on the surface of a circular stone found in Italy

25 December 2023

25 December 2023

Two circular stones measuring 50 centimeters in diameter have been discovered in Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo, an ancient hilltop fortress in...

Sumatran fishing crews may have found the legendary Gold Island in the Mud of the Indonesian River

24 October 2021

24 October 2021

The site of the Srivijaya kingdom, known in ancient times as the Island of Gold, may have been found by...

40.000-Year-Old Mammoth Bones Discovered in a Wine Cellar in Austria

25 May 2024

25 May 2024

A winemaker has discovered mammoth bones up to 30,000 to 40,000 years old in a wine cellar in Lower Austria. ...

Ancient tombs discovered at Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral

15 March 2022

15 March 2022

Archaeologists discovered several graves and a leaden sarcophagus possibly dating from the 14th century at Paris’ Notre Dame church, France’s...

The 5,000-Year-Old Beaded Burials that Reveal Women’s Power in Copper Age Iberia: Over 270,000 Beads

6 February 2025

6 February 2025

Archaeologists investigating the Montelirio tholos burial site in southwestern Spain, dating back approximately 5,000 years, have uncovered that the women...

Medieval Rye: From Humble Weed to Powerful Staple – New Study Reveals Surprising Farming Secrets

27 May 2025

27 May 2025

Discover how medieval rye cultivation was far more advanced than previously believed. New research reveals intensive farming and fertilizing techniques...

3D virtual reconstruction of the Celtic city gate

2 May 2022

2 May 2022

A new 3D virtual reconstruction of the Celtic gate has been made in Staffelberg, in the German state of Bavaria....

Sheikh Sultan Opened ‘Tales from the East’ Exhibition

28 April 2021

28 April 2021

The opening of the ‘Tales from the East’ exhibition organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) was held with the...

Digitally Reconstructed: Roman Roads That Shaped 1,000 Years of Travel Across Medieval Britain

21 May 2025

21 May 2025

Researchers digitally reconstruct medieval England and Wales’ travel routes, revealing how Roman roads shaped post-Roman mobility over a thousand years....

Tombs rich in artifacts discovered by Swedish archaeologists in Cyprus

7 July 2023

7 July 2023

A Swedish archaeological expedition made the extraordinary discovery of tombs outside the Bronze Age trading metropolis of Hala Sultan Tekke...

New fortification walls discovered in the ancient city of Pergamon

14 February 2022

14 February 2022

2,500-year-old fortification walls were found in the Ancient City of Pergamon (Bergama), which was included in the World Heritage List...