La nécropole gauloise de "Vaugrignon" à Esvres-sur-Indre (Indre-et-Loire) / The gaulish burial ground of " Vaugrignon" at Esvres-sur-Indre (Indre-et-Loire)

Abstract

This burial ground, which was used from the middle of the 2nd century B.C. until reign og Augustus, contained twenty-nine tombs, including one cremation. Its study allows us to follow the evolution of the burial rites (from the poorest tombs to those with amphorae or weapons) and to address the status of children. The analysis of the objects shows some original deposits, such as: three fibulae in bags, shield fragments in babies tombs, divers objects associated with iron working, coins and «funeral wares» specific to certain age groups. Scatterings of burnt objects show up post-inhumation funeray practices. The comparison was made with prestigious "biturige" type graves from the group of burial at nearly Fléré-la-Rivière. It gave an occasion to establish a social hierachy through the small-finds assemblages and to illustrate a hitherto poorly know of the population.