Excavations beneath an 18th-century hospital in Orléans, France, have unveiled fascinating insights into a Roman-era cemetery. The site, revealing more than 60 burials, dates back to the end of the first century through the beginning of the third century. Notably, the cemetery includes the discovery of 21 lead tablets, known as "defixiones," inscribed in both Latin and Gaulish. This finding sheds light on burial practices and cultural beliefs from this period.
The cemetery is atypical for its time due to its unique characteristics. Burials were aligned in a single row along a wall, with no evidence of women or children among the interred. Traces of painted wooden coffins were discovered, and unlike common practices of the time, there were no cremations. These peculiarities suggest that the individuals buried may have belonged to a specific group, potentially linked by profession or societal role.
Among the most intriguing discoveries are the curse tablets, small rolled-up lead plates containing inscriptions intended to bring misfortune to named individuals. One such tablet, found in grave F2199, was placed between the legs of a buried man, alongside a crushed vase and several coins. This particular tablet bears an inscription dedicated to "Mars Rigisamu," translated as "Mars the Royal," referring to the Roman god of war. The inscription is written in Gaulish, an extinct Celtic language.
Experts have already conducted detailed studies on one of these tablets, revealing its Gaulish inscription. Another tablet has undergone X-ray tomography to explore its contents without unrolling it, preserving its integrity. These analyses aim to uncover more about the cultural and historical context of these artifacts.
The Orléans Archaeology Service led the excavation, which is scheduled to conclude at the end of this month. Following this, researchers will engage in comprehensive laboratory analyses of all materials uncovered during the dig. The findings hold potential clues about the identities and lives of those buried at the site.
The discovery of these curse tablets raises questions about their significance and the reasons behind their inclusion in these burials. They suggest that the deceased could have been part of a distinct community or profession that practiced specific rituals or held particular beliefs regarding curses and protections in the afterlife.
