Nîmes (AFP)

Dozens of baby and fetus graves from the beginning of our era were discovered near the remains of the Roman ramparts of Nîmes, said Wednesday an archaeologist from the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap).

"We found about sixty graves, including about fifty perinatal tombs (less than six months old) and fetuses at the foot of the Roman wall in what was a public burial area of ​​the beginning of our era, from the first to the second century "Richard Pellé, the head of the excavation campaign, told the press. "It's really very impressive on such a small perimeter."

The bones of children "thin as cigarette paper" were found in stone forms or amphorae. They must be analyzed and dated.

"At a time when infant mortality was very high, it was observed that parents gave great care to the graves of their children even if the child had no legal status, no existence before the age of three in Roman society, "he adds.

Four dog graves and seven adult graves were also found on the same site.

Among them, a grave near the road of Sauve (Gard), containing the bones of a woman, having "a very particular and rare position: the hand resting on the cheek, the legs on the side, she wore a finery, including two rings and a bracelet and shoes ", says the archaeologist, who hypothesizes that this woman buried in a public area was probably passing through the ancient city of Nîmes.

Since 1989, the Roman wall of the High Empire of the city of Nîmes is listed as a historic monument. Since 2014, Richard Pellé and his team have conducted six excavation campaigns that have enriched knowledge on the history of Nîmes.

In 2019, for this ultimate campaign, archaeologists have located their work near the lower tower, contiguous to the Sauve road.

Jean-Paul Fournier, mayor of Nîmes, present Wednesday on the excavation site, said he "reflected" with the municipal team to the possible development of the site.

For his part, Richard Pellé, also emphasizes the "exceptional and magnificent side of the Roman rampart Nîmes", due to its magnitude (six kilometers), its "ostentatious" side and the originality of its massive towers. "It is one of the largest walls in the Mediterranean world, it must be preserved and enhanced, including by private owners who have a piece on their land," he hopes.

© 2019 AFP