For the neophyte, the find is far from spectacular: a tiny sculpted terracotta head the size of a thumb and a bust carved from a block of limestone, larger, but without a head.
These two fragments of Gallic statues discovered during archaeological excavations carried out in Artenay,
about twenty kilometers north of Orleans, nevertheless arouse the enthusiasm and astonishment of specialists.
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Enthusiasm, first of all, because statues from this period in Gaul are extremely rare.
"In France, only around thirty statues or fragments of statues sculpted by the Gauls have been found,"
recalls Jean-Philippe Gay, scientific manager of the excavations carried out in Artenay by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap).
And this is the first time that we find it in the Center region. "
Discoveries therefore have value.
"Aristocratic mansions"
Beyond the rarity of the objects, several elements intrigue Inrap archaeologists.
For the little head
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