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Ribemont-sur-Ancre ritual complex by Andy B on Wednesday, 06 April 2016

The ritual complex at Ribemont-sur-Ancre, Picardy forms one of the largest and most complex in Northern Gaul. The Iron Age phase of the complex includes a massive enclosure ditch and bank, which by 200 B.C. was supplemented by two structures built into the corners of the enclosure. These structures each measured approximately 1.65 m
square and were constructed using 2000 human bones around a central posthole filled
with cremated remains. They have each been interpreted as an ossuary, however, they represent a unique mortuary tradition not comparable to other known Iron Age sites.

A consistent feature of this site is the votive deposition of metal work along the edges of the enclosure ditch up to the period of the Gallic wars. These finds are of a similar type to those deposited at Gournay, including swords, shield bosses, belt chains and spear heads. This site was succeeded by a massive Gallo-Roman cult complex, originated by the establishment of a single temple by 30 B.C. and added upon until its destruction at the end of the third century A.D. This shows the continual importance of the site after the Roman invasion of Gaul but also possibly its increasing importance, influenced and contributed to by the construction of further ritual elements.

More, with references in Ritual Landscapes of Pre-Roman Britain: The Margins of Practice on the Margins of the Empire by Nicky Garland
from TRAC 2012: Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference. Oxford: Oxbow Books (2013) [p190]
https://www.academia.edu/15352488/Ritual_Landscapes_of_Pre-Roman_Britain_The_Margins_of_Practice_on_the_Margins_of_the_Empire


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