A team of volunteers excavating an archaeological site in Normandy, France, discovered a “time capsule” this week left behind by a 19th century colleague who explored the area almost 200 years ago.
“P.J. Ferre, a native of Dieppe and member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825,” read the message rolled up in a glass flask. “He continues to investigate this extensive area known as the Cité de Limes, or Caesar’s Camp.”
The message was discovered by volunteers at an ancient Gallic cliff-top village near the French town of Eu, where they were carrying out emergency excavations due to erosion of the hillside.
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The 19th century archaeologist PJ Ferré left a message in a bottle at the excavation site of the Cité de Limes in 1825. (City of Yeux)
The message and the vial were found in an earthenware pot at the Cité de Limes.
“It was a truly magical moment,” team leader Guillaume Blondel told BBC News. “We knew that excavations had been carried out here in the past, but to find this 200-year-old message… it was an absolute surprise.”
“P.J. Ferré, a native of Dieppe and member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825,” read the message rolled up in a glass flask. “He continues to investigate in this vast area known as the Cité de Lime or Caesar’s Camp” (Town of Yeux).
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He added: “You sometimes come across time capsules left by builders when building a house, but this is very unusual in archaeology. Most archaeologists like to think that they have done all the work and no one will come along later!”
The message was discovered by a team of volunteers investigating archaeological sites near Eux, Normandy, France.
The Gauls were a Celtic people who lived in continental Europe from the 5th century BC to the 5th century AD.
The message and flask were placed inside a ceramic jar. (Yew Town)
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Posting a photo of the find on its Facebook page, EU Town wrote: “The excavation yielded a particularly moving and very special testimony: a small 19th century salt jar with a message and two coins, all contained in a ceramic jar. It is in a previously surveyed area and is a ‘time capsule’ buried some 200 years ago.”
