A Celtic Iron Age Necropolis Found in France Without Human Remains but With Complete Swords in Their Sheaths and Other Treasures

At the top of the archaeological site of Creuzier-le-Neuf, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, a team from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) has uncovered an extensive necropolis dated to the Iron Age. Although soil conditions have prevented the preservation of human remains, the site offers valuable insight into funerary practices and the prestige objects associated with the elites of the time.

The burial area, which covers approximately 650 square meters, is configured as a quadrangular enclosure surrounded by a wide ditch. Inside, archaeologists have recorded more than a hundred tombs, mostly arranged in a north-south orientation. The scale of the funerary enclave allows for comparisons with other contemporary cemeteries found in regions such as Champagne, the Paris Basin, or Burgundy, suggesting a comparable social structure and shared ritual practices among various communities of pre-Roman Gaul.

One peculiarity that has marked the investigation is the impossibility of conducting anthropological studies due to the high acidity of the soil, which has completely dissolved the skeletal remains. This circumstance has not, however, prevented the identification of significant elements regarding the status of the buried individuals, thanks to the preservation of metal grave goods and other objects placed alongside the deceased.

Celt tombs france swords — Short sword fully decorated with antennae hilt found in burial 782. Credit: Flore Giraud / Inrap

Among the burials, one cremation stands out, differing from the others both in its rite and in the objects that accompany it. Alongside the ashes was found a small, carefully crafted vessel, decorated with punched motifs alternating with painted bands. This delicately made object indicates a specific ritual attention and suggests the existence of diverse funerary practices within the same sacred space.

One of the most revealing discoveries consists of the metal adornment elements found in nearly half the tombs. Bracelets abound, both single and in pairs, made of copper alloys. Some feature a simple design—coiled rods—while others are finely crafted, with decorative motifs and concealed fastening systems that reveal a certain degree of technical sophistication. One of the tombs yielded a pair of bracelets in excellent condition, decorated with concentric circles (ocelli) and elongated curves, recurring elements in Celtic art.

Also documented were 18 fibulae—brooches used to fasten garments—mostly made of iron or copper alloys. Although very deteriorated at the time of extraction, they were successfully restored at the CREAM laboratory in Vienne. One features a decorative motif similar to that of the aforementioned bracelets, suggesting stylistic coherence. Another stands out especially for its ornamental richness: it includes a cabochon with a low-relief disc, covered by a repoussé silver sheet. Based on its characteristics, this piece can be dated between the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE.

The two most striking tombs, however, are those that have preserved complete swords still in their respective sheaths. The first, found in tomb 782, contains an exceptional weapon. Its sheath, richly decorated with spiral motifs and ocelli, was designed to be worn at the side. The hilt and front plate are made of copper alloys and feature inlaid cabochons, some of which include swastika-shaped decorations and possibly fragments of glass paste. X-rays have also revealed symbols on the tip of the blade: a circle and a crescent moon, separated by a line—details that suggest it was made in the early 4th century BCE.

The second sword, from tomb 990, still has the suspension rings that allowed it to be worn close to the body. Although more restrained in terms of ornamentation—except for a pair of ocelli discreetly placed at the top of the sheath—it preserves traces of fabric adhered to the sheath’s oxidation. These textile fragments could belong to the deceased’s clothing, a shroud, or a protective cover. Its typology and dimensions also place it chronologically within the 4th century BCE.

The funerary complex was excavated under the scientific direction of Benjamin Oury and the supervision of Vincent Georges, both members of Inrap, as part of a development project led by Vichy Communauté and overseen by the Regional Archaeology Service.