Archaeologists have uncovered a 6,500-year-old cemetery near Paris containing a nearly 10-ton stone monument, an unusual seated burial, and evidence that prehistoric builders used an ancient form of cement. The discoveries at Champigny-sur-Marne include 11 graves and 30 large stone blocks. Researchers also identified a mound-like structure that resembles a burial monument but contains no grave.
Archaeologists from France’s National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) investigated the site ahead of planned property development. The cemetery dates to between 4750 and 4300 B.C. Such burial complexes are rare in the Île-de-France region, where graves from this period are generally found in isolation.
Massive stone monument reveals ancient carvings
One of the most striking discoveries is a large stone monument carved with human-like features. Known as a statue-menhir, it measures 10 feet (3.04 meters) long, 5.5 feet (1.68 meters) wide, and 2.4 feet (0.74 meters) thick. It weighs an estimated 9.7 metric tons. Archaeologists identified an engraved belt and several small, circular depressions carved into its surface. They also found possible traces of black and white pigments, suggesting that the stone may once have featured painted decorations.
Researchers discovered the monument lying flat inside a pit originally prepared to support it upright. Its position appears to reflect the monument’s abandonment following its collapse. However, the cause of the collapse remains unknown. Two smaller sandstone blocks were found nearby. One resembles a small standing stone, while the other may have served as a marker for the burial area.
Similar large stone monuments have been found elsewhere in Europe. A recent study of Europe’s megalithic architecture examined ancient DNA from people buried in six monumental grave complexes in Central Europe. Researchers found that the individuals were not always closely related, suggesting that social ties also influenced burial practices.
Ancient graves reveal unusual burial practices
The cemetery sits on a raised terrace formed by sediments deposited by the Marne River. Archaeologists found eight graves within an area of about 646 square feet (60 square meters), south of a mound-like structure. Three others lay farther north, near the massive standing stone and two additional stone blocks. Modern construction had disturbed parts of the northern section, making it difficult to determine how the graves and monuments were originally arranged.
During the initial investigation, researchers uncovered two poorly preserved graves containing women. Both individuals had been buried on their backs, with their bodies aligned east to west. Further excavations revealed nine additional burials. Seven contained individuals laid out in extended positions. Most were placed in large burial pits, while holes near their skulls suggest that wooden posts may once have marked the graves.
Archaeologists also recovered stone blades, projectile points, a sandstone axe made from local material and other stone tools. Two graves contained objects made from worked bone. One burial was particularly unusual. Researchers discovered an adult skeleton in a seated position inside a narrow, circular pit resembling a well. The individual’s lower legs and feet were completely encased in calcite, a mineral deposit.
Archaeologists have not determined why this individual was buried differently from the others. Unusual Neolithic burials have also been documented elsewhere in Europe. In Greece, archaeologists discovered a couple buried in an embrace nearly 5,800 years ago at Alepotrypa Cave in the Peloponnese.
Mysterious stone structure contains no grave
Another unusual discovery emerged in the southeastern part of the cemetery, where researchers uncovered a dome-like structure covering about 323 square feet (30 square meters). The structure consisted of brown silt and contained an arrangement of pits, stone blocks, wooden posts, and trenches that once held wooden barriers. A small stone monument, or stele, broken into two pieces, stood above it.
Although the structure resembled an ancient burial mound, known as a tumulus, archaeologists found no grave beneath it. Researchers suggest that it may have served as a landmark in the surrounding landscape. Its location near the graves indicates a possible connection to the cemetery, but its exact purpose remains uncertain.
Ancient builders used an early form of cement
The excavation also revealed evidence that Neolithic communities used a cement-like material to construct and strengthen parts of the cemetery. The builders combined locally available sand and silt rich in calcium carbonate with gravel and water. Once dry, the mixture hardened and helped stabilize burial structures and stone monuments.
Archaeologists identified traces of this material along grave edges, inside pits supporting large stone blocks and within the mound-like structure. The builders also used less-processed materials, including beige sand, brown silt and wood. Their combination of prepared and natural materials suggests that they carefully selected different materials for different construction needs.
Similar carbonate-rich building materials have previously been identified at prehistoric sites in Western Europe, particularly in Mediterranean settlements and houses. Other archaeological discoveries have also revealed early building techniques. At a Neolithic settlement near Jerusalem, researchers found evidence that ancient builders produced dolomitic lime plaster thousands of years before the Romans.
The discovery at Champigny-sur-Marne shows that prehistoric communities also used prepared mineral-based materials to construct burial monuments in the Paris region.
Further research may reveal who built the cemetery
Researchers plan to examine ancient DNA and chemical signatures in human remains to learn more about the people buried at the site. These studies may provide information about their ages, biological sexes, health, diets and geographical origins. They could also help determine whether some individuals moved between different regions during their lives.
Similar techniques have helped scientists identify family connections among people buried in Neolithic tombs in Scotland. Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from several prehistoric burial sites and identified biological relationships across generations.
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