There are still many types of mystery that scientists have not been able to solve and there is no end to people's curiosity about them, as well. Recently, a piece of rock, rather a slab, has turned out to be a cause of concern for researchers. Archaeologists had discovered the granite slab in the early 1900s while excavating a prehistoric burial ground in France. The slab had designs carved on it. Until recently, researchers were almost oblivious of the same. Lately, they have started being wary of that piece of rock, yet again. New research has revealed that the slab is of immense archaeological value as a treasure map, leading to other important sites carved on this slab dating back to the Bronze Age!
As mentioned, the map carved on the slab is believed to indicate the locations of some Bronze Age sites, spanning from BC 2150 to BC 1600. Scientists have named it Saint-Bélec Slab. They are of the opinion that the images carved into the slab may be the oldest 3D map of Europe! According to a report published in the Daily Mail, scientists believe that the map would play a significant role in finding lost monuments in France. Yvan Pailler, a Professor at the University of Western Brittany (UBO), has said that maps were used at the time to locate archaeological sites and it is undoubtedly unimaginable. He added: "Using the map to try to find archaeological sites is a great approach. We never work like that."
Meanwhile, researchers have claimed that it would take more than 15 years to decipher what is there on that map. They have explained that the map on the slab indicates an area of about 630sqkm. Hence, it will take a lot of time to find that place and carry out research there. A team, led by Professor Pailler and his colleague Clement Nicolas from the CNRS research institute, recently rediscovered this slab while conducting research at a prehistoric site in Finistère, France.
After consulting with experts, the team has come to know that the slab marks the rivers and mountains of Roudouallec, a part of the Brittany region about 500km west of Paris. The slab also has tiny hollows, which (according to researchers) point to burial mounds, dwellings or geological deposits. Although researchers have scanned the slab and compared it with current maps, finding a roughly 80% match; Professor Pailler has stressed that they would need to survey the entire territory and cross-reference the markings on the slab.
Archaeologist Paul du Chatellier had discovered the slab in 1900. However, he passed away before deciphering the mystery of that slab. After his demise, Chatellier's children donated his archaeological collection to the National Archaeological Museum of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The slab remained in storage of the museum for decades. In 2014, researchers found the slab in the sanctum sanctorum of a French palace!
Traces of a 4,000-year-old civilisation are believed to be hidden in the slab! BBC has quoted Nicolas as saying: "It was probably a way to affirm the ownership of the territory by a small prince or king at the time." According to the researcher, the slab was likely repurposed as the side of a burial vault toward the end of the early Bronze Age, between BC 1900 and BC 1640. It may have been a symbolically meaningful choice, marking the end of a ruler's political power during a period of great social reorganisation in the region. Nicolas stated: "The Saint-Bélec Slab depicts the territory of a strongly hierarchical political entity that tightly controlled a territory in the early Bronze Age, and breaking it may have indicated condemnation and deconsecration."
Boundless Ocean of Politics on Facebook
Boundless Ocean of Politics on Twitter
Boundless Ocean of Politics on Linkedin
Contact: kousdas@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment