Four other skeletons were similarly found in upwards positions, all facing westward
Credit: Frédéric BOURIGAULT / AFP via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Young children found a skeleton sitting upright and sticking out of a “circular pit” near the Josephine Baker primary school in the French city of Dijon
- The find marked the latest in a series, as four other skeletons were found in similar situations just this month alone
- Each skeleton has been found facing westward
A group of young children got an unexpected surprise while spending time on their school's playground.
The kids discovered a skeleton sitting upright and sticking out of a "circular pit" near the Josephine Baker primary school in the French city of Dijon this month, France's National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) said in a news release.
The find marked the latest in a series, as four other skeletons were similarly discovered in upward positions, facing westward, with their hands resting in their laps, according to the release.
Each discovery was made just this month alone.
The skeletons are believed to be those of the Gauls, a group that lived in Europe during the Iron Age and the Roman period, per Britannica.
Last year, 13 other skeletons were found in the country, not far from the same area, according to the INRAP.
Credit: Frédéric BOURIGAULT / AFP via Getty
"This seated position is atypical," archaeo-anthropologist Annamaria Latron told Le Monde.
She added: "We are more used to burials of reclining individuals, in general on their backs, with the lower limbs extended and not bent like this."
Over the years, researchers have found many skeletons of Gauls.
Except for one skeleton that belonged to a child, the remains have all been those of men who were between about 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-9, with well-preserved teeth.
"Their bones display traces of osteoarthritis, suggesting intense physical activity," Latron said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Archaeologists are still unsure why the bodies have been buried in such unique ways.
"We do not have a preferred hypothesis," Latron said. "We're missing the surface layer, which was above the tombs."
"Being an archaeologist can be a very frustrating profession," she added.
Read the full article here
