Rare fifth-century burials of Germanic chieftains with dazzling weapons and warhorses discovered in France
Archaeologists excavating in northeastern France have unearthed a small fifth-century cemetery containing the graves of two Germanic chieftains and two warhorses.
Key points
- While scholars have debated for centuries about why the empire fell, one key issue was the repeated occupation of Rome in the fifth century by Germanic tribes known as the Goths and the Vandals.
- But two of the male burials, in particular, stood out because of their high-quality grave goods, including a sword with a partially preserved wooden scabbard, a shield, a javelin and a scramasax, a type of Germanic short sword, which was decorated with a gold -and-garnet accessory.
- Archaeologists also uncovered a rare fifth-century cemetery at the site, which was used from about A.D.
The weapons are characteristic of the burials of Germanic chieftains or mercenaries, according to the archaeologists, and two horses were buried nearby with their harnesses.
Additional details
- Sornin-Petit, Inrap) Archaeologists discovered 11 adult graves, three graves of children and two horse burials at the site, according to the statement.
- The burial complex was discovered near the city of Colmar, just a few miles from the Rhine River, which forms the border between France and Germany.
- In two of the female burials, archaeologists found silver bird-shaped brooches, glass bead necklaces and a bone comb, suggesting that these may have been high-status women.
- Several of the burials included gold-and-garnet accessories on weapons and clothing.
- The archaeologists believe the warrior's grave goods weren't just for show, but further study of the skeletons is planned to confirm whether the injuries seen during the excavation could have been sustained in a conflict.
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