A team of student volunteers excavating a Gaulish village near Dieppe, northern France, made a remarkable find this week—a message dating back 200 years.
While sifting through the remnants of the ancient settlement on Monday, the team uncovered an earthenware pot that contained a small glass flask. According to team leader Guillaume Blondel, who oversees the archaeological service for the town of Eu, the flask was similar to those worn by women to hold smelling salts.
Inside the vial was a rolled-up piece of paper tied with string. Mr. Blondel opened it on Tuesday evening, revealing a note from P.J. Féret, a notable figure from Dieppe. The message read: “P.J Féret, a native of Dieppe, member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825. He continues his investigations in this vast area known as the Cité de Limes or Caesar’s Camp.”
Féret’s past excavation efforts at the site are confirmed by local municipal records. “It was an absolutely magical moment,” said Mr. Blondel. “We knew there had been excavations here before, but to find this message from 200 years ago was a total surprise. It’s rare to uncover such time capsules in archaeology.”
The dig was initiated in response to significant cliff erosion threatening the site, which has already seen a considerable portion of the oppidum—an ancient fortified village—lost to the sea. Mr. Blondel noted the team’s awareness of the site’s Gaulish heritage but expressed curiosity about its historical significance. “What we don’t know is what went on inside the village. Was it a place of importance?”
In the week since the dig began, several other artifacts from the Gaulish period have been discovered, primarily pieces of pottery dating back approximately 2,000 years. The team continues to explore the site, piecing together the rich history of this ancient settlement.
