A team of volunteers excavating an archaeological site in Normandy, France, uncovered an extraordinary “time capsule” left behind nearly 200 years ago by a 19th-century archaeologist. The discovery was made at an ancient Gaulish clifftop village near the town of Eu, as part of an emergency dig to address hillside erosion.
Message in a glass flask
The team found a handwritten message, rolled up inside a glass flask, placed in an earthenware pot at the site known as the Cité de Limes, or Caesar’s Camp.
The note was left by P.J. Féret, a native of Dieppe and a member of various intellectual societies, who had conducted his own excavations at the site in January 1825.
“P. J. Féret, a native of Dieppe, member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825,” the message rolled up inside a glass flask said. “He continues his investigations in this vast area known as the Cité de Limes or Caesar’s Camp.”
An unexpected discovery
The discovery came as a surprise to the excavation team. “It was an absolutely magic moment,” said Guillaume Blondel, the team leader, in an interview with BBC News.
“We knew there had been excavations here in the past, but to find this message from 200 years ago… it was a total surprise,” Blondel noted that while time capsule left behind by carpenters or builders are occasionally found, it is highly unusual to encounter such artefacts in the field of archaeology. “Most archaeologists prefer to think that there won’t be anyone coming after them because they’ve done all the work!” he remarked.
Historical context of the find
The Gauls, Celts living in mainland Europe, inhabited the region between the 5th century B.C.E. and the 5th century A.D. The site where Féret left his message has long been recognized as an area of significant historical importance. In addition to the message, the volunteers also found two 19th-century coins, all stored in a ceramic jar.
The town of Eu later posted photos of the discovery on its official Facebook page, celebrating the find as a “moving and very special testimony” from the past.
“The excavations delivered, among other things, a moving and very special testimony,” the town wrote. “A message was discovered in a small salt bottle from the 19th century accompanied by two coins; all contained in a ceramic jar. Located in a previously investigated sector, it is a ‘time capsule’ buried almost 200 years ago.”
This remarkable discovery not only offers a glimpse into the archaeological practices of the 19th century but also connects the past and present in a way that few modern excavations do.