Spectacular finds at Augustodunum (Autun, France)

[guy]

Amber pins were found at the feet of the individual buried in the largest sarcophagus, dating to the 4th century. PHOTO: © Denis Gliksman, Inrap.

I missed this article from earlier in the year about an excavation of Augustodunum (modern Autun, France). It had been founded by Augustus. (The -dunum ending is derived from the Celtic word for “hill,” “fort,” or “walled city.”)

 

The findings at this site were quite spectacular:

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“Other impressive artefacts unearthed include a set of amber pins, an embossed gold ring, and a gold ring, all from the largest sarcophagus in the burial ground. The team also found pins and rings made of jet, and further gold jewellery, including earrings. Analysis of fragments of fabric recovered from a lead coffin showed they were woven with golden thread and detected traces of purple, all pointing to the wealth of the people who could afford such costly materials in their graves.”

 

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“A five-inch-tall glass vase decorated with the words “Vivas feliciter,” Latin for “live happily,” has been discovered in a late Roman–period grave in a cemetery in central France. The intact, reticulated glass vase is the first to be unearthed in the ancient territories of Gaul.”

This finding of a “cage cup” is rare. These cups have intricate three-dimensional designs on the surface.

https://the-past.com/news/roman-discoveries-at-ancient-augustodunum/

 

https://www.archaeology.org/news/9213-201117-france-roman-glass

 

Here’s a video in Latin about the ancient city:

 

 

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by guy

[guy]

Here’s a previous thread on the famous Lycurgus cup, another example of the artistic beauty of Roman cage cups: