A recent archaeological study has uncovered intriguing details about the Creney-le-Paradis tumulus, a site dating back to the Iron Age, providing compelling evidence about the social and economic significance of its occupants.
The research, focused on the analysis of mineralized textile fragments, reveals not only the technical complexity and quality of the textiles found but also reinforces the theory that the site belonged to a social elite during the period it was in use.
Creney-le-Paradis is located in the Champagne region, south of the historic Senon area, a strategic location at the intersection of important trade routes in antiquity. From the last quarter of the 7th century B.C. to the end of the 5th century B.C., this region, which encompasses the present-day departments of Yonne, Loiret, Essonne, Seine-et-Marne, and Aube, was densely populated and characterized by intense socio-cultural and economic activity. The presence of other elite tombs nearby, such as Lavau and Vix (where the largest bronze krater of antiquity was found), underscores the importance of this area during the transition between the early and late Iron Ages.
The Creney-le-Paradis site contains archaeological structures that span from the final Bronze Age to the beginning of the late Iron Age and has suffered from looting and plowing damage over the centuries, making its full interpretation challenging. However, the application of modern microtomography techniques, along with optical and electron microscopy, has enabled a detailed examination of 99 textile fragments recovered from the central pit of the tumulus.

The analysis of these mineralized textile fragments is revealing. Researchers have identified at least sixteen different types of textiles, indicating a surprising diversity for a single burial site. The textiles, which were found adhered to fragments of bronze sheets, have preserved their external morphological characteristics thanks to positive mineralization, a process where organic matter is replaced by copper corrosion products.
Preliminary results show that most of the analyzed fragments were wool, identified by the presence of cuticular scales observed through electron microscopy. The diversity in the types of textiles, including twill, plain weave, and tablet-woven fabrics, reflects advanced technical skill and significant attention to detail in the making of these textiles, suggesting that they belonged to people of high status.
The textiles served not only utilitarian functions such as clothing or goods storage but also played a prominent role in social and religious rituals. In the Creney-le-Paradis tomb, the quality of the textiles suggests that these artifacts were not merely everyday objects but status symbols that were likely used in ceremonies or as funerary offerings.
This discovery adds to other findings in the region that indicate the manipulation and presentation of textiles in ritual contexts were deeply embedded in the social and religious practices of the time. Researchers argue that the sophistication and variety of the textiles found in Creney-le-Paradis are comparable to those of other aristocratic Iron Age tombs in Europe, reinforcing the idea that the site housed members of the elite.
The study employed a combination of advanced methods to analyze the textile fragments, including digital microscopy, synchrotron X-ray tomography, and scanning electron microscopy. These methods allowed researchers not only to observe the fibers and structures of the textiles but also to identify the materials and techniques used in their creation.
X-ray tomography was particularly useful for analyzing highly mineralized and multi-layered samples, enabling non-invasive reconstruction of the textiles and a better understanding of the weaving techniques employed. This approach has provided crucial information about the organization and social structure of the Creney-le-Paradis community, as well as their funerary practices.
The work at Creney-le-Paradis is far from complete. Researchers are continuing to analyze the recovered materials, hoping to learn more about the people who were buried at this site. The bronze fragments and other artifacts found alongside the textiles offer additional avenues of study that could shed more light on the social status and cultural connections of the tomb’s occupants.
The preservation of textiles in archaeological contexts is a rare phenomenon, and the findings from Creney-le-Paradis provide a unique opportunity to study aspects of daily life, technology, and social structures within an Iron Age community.
SOURCES
Iacconi C, Desplanques E, Moulherat C, et al. Archaeological mineralised textiles from the Iron Age tumulus of Creney-le-Paradis support its elite status. Antiquity. Published online 2024:1-15. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.96
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