Among the most striking discoveries at the giant Roman necropolis in France, formerly known as Narbo Martius, are a marble ossuary chest, a marble altar bearing the name Tulia Flavina, a collection of glass perfume vials—often employed in Roman funerary rituals—and a lead pottery cup adorned with reliefs of skeletons.
In the southern French region of Narbonne, an area designated for building was excavated by archaeologists from the French National Institute for Preventive Archeological Research (INRAP) between 2017 and 2020. More than 1,880 structures from the early periods of the Roman Empire were discovered during the excavation, much to the joy of the archaeologists and perhaps to the dismay of the developers. When combined, they constituted one of the largest necropolises in the area.
The necropolis, which was formerly known as Narbo Martius, is situated less than four miles outside of the city, which was established in 118 BCE as the first Roman town in Transalpine Gaul. It appears that the necropolis was occupied from the end of the first century CE to the start of the third century. High walls encircle several plots of land, which are embellished with marble funerary plaques that provide details about the necropolis’s populace, which was primarily made up of plebeians or working-class people—former slaves of Italian descent who relocated to Narbonne in quest of employment opportunities.
The necropolis comprises around 1,430 burial places in addition to 1,880 structures, which makes its discovery an important contribution to the study of ancient funeral rites.
The evolution of the Roman Empire and the rise and fall of particular religions caused significant changes to those ceremonies. It was discovered that several of the necropolis’s earliest graves had libation conduits or openings through which the living could place offerings on significant festivals like Parentalia. Families shared meals and offered sacrifices next to the tombs of their loved ones as the nine-day remembrance of Rome’s forefathers came to an end. They most likely used the conduits to “share” their food and beverages with the people buried inside during these celebrations.
Apart from giving food and beverages, individuals also left valuable artifacts like glass furniture, ceramic vases, jewelry made of metal, ivory, or bone, money, beads, animal teeth, small tools, bells, and pendants with phallic designs, all of which would be taken with the sick into the afterlife.
Among the most striking discoveries are a marble ossuary chest, a marble altar bearing the name Tulia Flavina, a collection of glass perfume vials—often employed in Roman funerary rituals—and a lead pottery cup adorned with reliefs of skeletons.
A news release states that these and other necropolis finds are now being moved to the Narbo Via museum in Narbonne, which already has a small collection of southern French ancient Roman antiques. Head of Archeological Research at INRAP Valérie Bel is curating an exhibit on the discovery that will open at the Narbo Via in 2026.
Just a few months ago, GreatGameIndia reported that over 25,000 artifacts were unearthed in the historic Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah, according to the Jeddah Historic District Program.
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