Trending Now - Archaeologists Discover Sword-wounded Skeletons Under School

WHO:

Fox News - Inrap, France's national institution for preventive archaeology

Fox News - Archaeologists in Brussels, Belgium

Fox News - Josephine Baker school complex in Dijon

WHAT:

Fox News - Archaeologists uncovered ancient skeletons beneath a school site in France, all buried in an unusual seated position.

Fox News - The skeletons date back to the Gallic period, which lasted from the fifth century B.C. to 50 B.C.

Fox News - Inrap announced the discovery in a press release in March 2026.

Fox News - Archaeologists found "five to six" new graves during the recent excavation, in addition to 13 graves found in 2024.

Fox News - The new graves were described as "seated at the bottom of the pit, [their] backs against the eastern wall, facing west."

Fox News - The skeletons showed signs of unhealed violence, including cuts on an upper arm bone and two blows to the skull from a sharp object, possibly a sword.

Fox News - A single black stone armband dated to the third century B.C. was found with the skeletons.

WHERE:

Fox News - The skeletons were found beneath the Josephine Baker school complex in Dijon, approximately 195 miles southeast of Paris.

Fox News - The graves are located in a busy part of Brussels, Belgium.

WHEN:

Fox News - The skeletons date back to the Gallic period, spanning from the fifth century B.C. to 50 B.C.

Fox News - Similar Gallic burials were first found at the site in 2024.

Fox News - The discovery was announced in March 2026.

WHY:

Fox News - The discovery is significant due to the number of burials and the good state of skeletal preservation.

Fox News - The injuries found on the skeletons likely indicate intentional killing.

HOW:

Fox News - Archaeologists excavated sections of ground into circular pits to uncover the skeletons.

(UPDATED April 11, 2026 17:08 UTC)

Archaeologists have uncovered ancient skeletons beneath the Josephine Baker school complex in Dijon, France, all buried in an unusual seated position, dating back to the Gallic period from the fifth century B.C. to 50 B.C. The discovery, announced by Inrap in March 20th26, revealed five to six new graves alongside 13 previously found in 2024, with the skeletons showing signs of unhealed violence, suggesting intentional killing. A single black stone armband from the third century B.C. was also discovered with the remains, highlighting the significance of this excavation in understanding ancient burial practices.