14 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

Remains of first Islamic madrassa found in Turkey’s Harran

1 December 2021

1 December 2021

The remnants of a 12th-century madrassa (Islamic institution of higher instruction) have been discovered in the archaeological site of Harran,...

Treasure Hunter Claims to Find First Council of Nicaea’s Location, Demands $50 Million for Discovery

26 April 2025

26 April 2025

In a startling revelation, Mustafa Uysal, a treasure hunter from Bursa, has claimed to have unearthed an underground city in...

4,000-year-old Snake-Shaped Pottery Handle Found in Taiwan

20 February 2024

20 February 2024

National Tsing Hua University archaeologists in Taiwan have discovered a snake-shaped pottery handle dating back approximately 4000 years. Researchers uncovered...

At Göbeklitepe, believed to be the earliest known Mesolithic temple complex, grinding stones were discovered

26 October 2022

26 October 2022

A recent discovery at Göbeklitepe, the oldest known Mesolithic temple complex, has revealed grinding stones, new finds expected to shed...

Farmer Found an Ice Age Cave Under His Field

30 March 2021

30 March 2021

A naturally formed cave was found near the town of Kraśnik in southeastern Poland, used by humans during the Ice...

5,200-year-old stone carving silkworm chrysalis discovered in north China

19 July 2022

19 July 2022

According to the provincial archaeological research institute, archaeologists discovered a stone-carved silkworm chrysalis dating back at least 5,200 years in...

An Anthropologist’s life work uncovers the first ancient DNA from the Swahili Civilization

2 April 2023

2 April 2023

Chapurukha Kusimba, an anthropologist at the University of South Florida, has uncovered the first ancient DNA from the Swahili Civilization,...

Newly discovered inscribed brick may reveal Elamite water supply system in Western Iran

15 January 2024

15 January 2024

Archaeologists discovered a brick inscribed with Akkadian script, marking the Elamite water supply system, alongside some intricately patterned bricks in...

Maya Archaeological site for sale on Facebook has stirred controversy in Yucatán and across Mexico

31 March 2023

31 March 2023

Over 249 hectares of land for sale on Facebook Marketplace has sparked controversy in Yucatan and across Mexico. The property,...

2000-year-old Genuine Pompeii marble relief installed in a wall lining the staircase leading down to the basement in a Belgium home

22 December 2023

22 December 2023

An important marble relief depicting the earthquake of 62 AD, stolen from the ruins of ancient Pompeii in Italy in...

2nd-Century Statue Head Discovered at Fethiye Castle

22 August 2024

22 August 2024

Türkiye’s coastal town of Fethiye, which is famous for its natural beauties and historical sites, found an 1800-year-old statue head...

Paleontologists Unearth Dozens of Giant Dinosaur Eggs in Fossilized Nest in Spain

15 November 2021

15 November 2021

Spain was the scene of a new paleontological discovery. Paleontologists extracted 30 Titanosaurus dinosaur eggs from a two-ton rock in...

Recent Excavations Unveil Five Remarkable Statues, Shedding Light on Perge’s Roman Heritage

12 February 2025

12 February 2025

During the excavations in the ancient city of Perge in Antalya, one of the most organized Roman cities of Anatolia,...

Japan-Persia Ancient Ties

20 June 2021

20 June 2021

Japanese and Persian ancient ties go back to the 7th century. Silk Road connected Japan with countries and regions far...

1.5 tons of bronze coins found in east China

19 December 2022

19 December 2022

An ancient coin hoard containing 1.5 tonnes of coins from the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties has been discovered...