During the winter of 2023-2024, archaeologists from the Archeodunum Research Center were called to a home in a suburb of Paris after a homeowner discovered a skeleton in his basement. This discovery led to a significant excavation that uncovered a total of 38 burials across four rooms. The initial finding of a single skeleton in Corbeil-Essonnes eventually revealed a cemetery from the Middle Ages, with graves dating back from the third century A.D. through the 10th century. Prior to this excavation, the graves had never been studied scientifically, making the discovery even more significant.
The presence of a medieval cemetery had been known in the area due to previous discoveries of plaster sarcophagi, believed to be connected to the Notre-des-Champs chapel, which was thought to have been built on the site of a pagan temple in the 7th century. The excavation revealed that funerary practices had evolved over time, with the deceased being buried in plaster sarcophagi during the early Middle Ages, though the ones found in this excavation were not decorated. The remains of a single person were found in each of the 10 sarcophagi, a departure from the common practice of burying multiple individuals in one enclosure during the Roman period.
Further analysis of the cemetery is ongoing, with specialists hoping to answer questions about the sex, age at death, and living conditions of those whose remains were unearthed. Additionally, researchers aim to gain a better understanding of the population in the region during the Antiquity and Middle Ages, as well as how funerary traditions evolved over time. The excavation provided unexpected insights into the burial practices of different time periods, shedding new light on the history of the area and the individuals who were laid to rest there.
The discovery of the cemetery and the unexpected findings of the excavation highlight the unpredictable nature of archaeological research, where significant historical artifacts and insights can be uncovered in the most unexpected places. The homeowner who discovered the initial skeleton in his basement likely never imagined the wealth of information that would be revealed through the subsequent excavation. The work of the archaeologists from the Archeodunum Research Center has provided valuable data that will contribute to a better understanding of the region’s history and the evolution of burial customs over centuries.
The findings from the excavation shed new light on the burial practices of the Roman and medieval periods, revealing a previously unknown cemetery with well-preserved remains dating back centuries. The analysis of the skeletal remains and burial practices will deepen our understanding of the individuals buried in the cemetery, providing insights into their lives, social status, and cultural practices. Through continued research and analysis, specialists hope to uncover more information about the people who lived in the area during different historical periods, offering a glimpse into the past that was previously unknown.
Overall, the excavation of the unexpected cemetery in Corbeil-Essonnes has provided important insights into the region’s history, the evolution of funerary traditions, and the lives of those buried in the cemetery. The discovery of the 38 burials across four rooms, dating from the third century A.D. through the 10th century, has opened up new avenues for research and analysis, offering a unique glimpse into the past. The ongoing work by the archaeologists at the Archeodunum Research Center promises to reveal even more about the individuals buried in the cemetery and the history of the area, enriching our understanding of the past.
