The site, located near Dijon, features a set of three interconnected enclosures, a configuration never before seen in archaeological records. Dating from the Neolithic to the Iron Age, this unprecedented find provides valuable insights into ancient burial practices, ritual sites, and early human societies across thousands of years.

The discovery was made by archaeologists from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), who were excavating ahead of a planned expansion of a gravel pit. The site reveals a complex arrangement of enclosures, the oldest of which date back to the Neolithic period (approximately 7,000–2,000 BC). This discovery offers a rare glimpse into the changing functions of a single location over millennia, raising questions about how these spaces were used by different cultures throughout prehistory.

An Unprecedented Monument

The most striking feature of the site is a monument composed of three interlocking enclosures. At the heart of the structure is a large circular enclosure, 36 feet in diameter. To the north, a smaller, 26-foot-long horseshoe-shaped enclosure connects directly to the central circle, while to the south, another circular design remains partially open but still integrated with the main structure.

According to Inrap, the configuration of the enclosures suggests they were constructed at the same time. Researchers found a gravel layer surrounding the side enclosures, hinting at the presence of a palisade or wooden fence that would have once enclosed the site.

This layout is completely unique and has no direct comparison with any previously documented prehistoric monument. The term “unprecedented” has been used by researchers to describe the discovery, as no similar structures have been found in other Neolithic sites. The precision of the design, combined with the interlocking enclosures, challenges assumptions about the complexity of ancient architecture. The monument’s purpose is not yet fully understood, but its configuration suggests it may have been a space for ceremonial or communal activities, reports Popular Mechanics.

Artifacts Reveal Neolithic Connections

Several artifacts discovered at the Marliens site provide important clues about its use and date. Among the items found in the ditches of the enclosures are seven flint arrowheads, two archer’s bracers, a flint lighter, and a copper alloy dagger. These artifacts, which are consistent with the Neolithic period, point to the presence of a community that engaged in hunting and ritual activities.

An especially intriguing find is an armband with traces of iron oxide linked to pyrite, which may have been used to light fires. While such items are often associated with burials, no evidence of a burial has been found at the site, leaving researchers to caution against jumping to conclusions about its purpose.

These tools provide a window into the daily life and practices of the people who inhabited the region thousands of years ago. The copper dagger, in particular, offers an opportunity to investigate trade networks and the movement of materials in prehistoric Europe. The artifacts, alongside the monumental layout, suggest the site played a significant role in both practical and ritual activities, though further research is needed to fully understand its function.

Layers of History Over Time

In addition to the Neolithic enclosures, the site reveals layers of occupation that span centuries. Close to the original monument, archaeologists uncovered a section dating to the Early Bronze Age, around 1,500–1,300 BC. Here, they found five additional circular enclosures, four of which are open and one closed. The largest enclosure contained remains of cremation burials and a funeral pyre, although the acidic soil conditions have prevented the preservation of unburned bones. Artifacts such as five copper alloy pins, a necklace made of 40 amber beads, and rare ceramic fragments found in the ditches of the enclosures help confirm the date range of the occupation.

The discovery of this Bronze Age necropolis adds another layer of complexity to the site, highlighting its evolving use over time. Farther away from the main enclosures, a First Iron Age occupation site has been identified, featuring urns and ornamental burial artifacts. These findings, combined with nearby Early Bronze Age wells, suggest that the site was not only used for ritual and burial practices but also for daily life and community activities. The team hopes that ongoing analysis of the clay layers at the bottom of these wells will provide further insights into the environmental and cultural context of the region during these periods.