Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Europe.
Surprise Discovery in Northern France
A team of student volunteers conducting an archaeological dig in northern France has uncovered a fascinating link to the past. While excavating the remains of a Gaulish village on the cliff tops near Dieppe, they stumbled upon a surprising artifact on Monday an earthenware pot containing a small glass vial.
According to Guillaume Blondel, the team leader and head of the archaeological service for the town of Eu, the vial resembled the type used by women in the past to carry smelling salts around their necks. Inside the bottle was something even more remarkable a rolled up message, tied with string.
A 200 Year Old Message
On Tuesday evening, Blondel carefully unrolled the fragile paper to reveal its contents. The note was written by P.J. Féret, a local of Dieppe and a member of various intellectual societies, who had carried out excavations at the same site in January 1825. The message read:
"P.J Féret, a native of Dieppe, member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825. He continues his investigations in this vast area known as the Cité de Limes or Caesar’s Camp."
Féret was a notable figure in the area, and municipal records confirmed that he had led the initial dig at the site nearly 200 years ago.
A Rare Archaeological Find
"It was an absolutely magical moment," said Blondel. "We knew there had been excavations here in the past, but finding this 200 year old message was a total surprise."
Blondel compared the discovery to time capsules left by carpenters during building projects, noting how rare it is for archaeologists to stumble upon such a direct communication from past excavators. "Most archaeologists prefer to think that no one will come after them because they've done all the work!" he added with a smile.
The current dig was initiated due to concerns about cliff erosion at the site, which has already claimed a significant portion of the oppidum or fortified village.
Unanswered Questions about the Gaulish Village
The excavation site, known as the Cité de Limes or Caesar’s Camp, is a Gaulish settlement, but much remains unknown about its history. "We knew it was a Gaulish village," said Blondel. "What we don’t know is what went on inside the village. Was it a place of importance?"
Since the dig began a week ago, the team has uncovered several artifacts dating back to the Gaulish period, primarily pottery fragments estimated to be around 2,000 years old.
This unexpected discovery not only sheds light on the village's history but also creates a poignant connection between modern day archaeologists and those who came before them.
