Roman tombs found near Troyes

Three Roman tombs were discovered near Troyes, France, in a field at La Rivièr-de-Corps, a few kilometers upstream from the ancient city. The tombs are closely grouped on a few square meters, separate from nearby buildings. The site was identified through a communiqué published by Inrap, the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research, as of October 2026.

Remains and artifacts inside the tombs

The tombs contain the remains of a woman, an immature individual, and a second adult, with the third skeleton being too damaged to determine its sex. The individuals were buried with glass bottles and an amphora, which have remained intact since the 3rd century. The artifacts, including cylindrical glass bottles placed near the head of one deceased person and an amphora of regional production near the feet of another, suggest a date of the end of the 3rd century or the beginning of the 4th century, based on the shape of the glass.

Survival of rare artifacts

Glass items are rare to survive seventeen centuries without breaking, and Inrap suggests the close grouping of the tombs may indicate a possible family grouping, though no definitive evidence of a familial relationship has been confirmed. The artifacts, however, have survived better than the bones, with ceramics also found at the site.

Context of the discovery

The discovery adds to the understanding of Roman burial practices in the region and highlights the importance of preventive archaeology in preserving historical artifacts before modern development. Inrap continues to study the site to uncover more details about the individuals and their lives during the Roman era.