Sanctuaire celtique de Gournay-sur-Aronde, Celtic sanctuary in Gournay-sur-Aronde, France.
This Celtic sacred enclosure features a square sanctuary surrounded by a defensive ditch and wooden palisade, with the interior divided by specific ritual spaces. The central area contains multiple pits where over 700 sword scabbards and animal bones were systematically deposited over centuries.
Founded in the 3rd century BCE by the Bellovaci tribe, the sanctuary remained active through the Roman period, demonstrating its enduring religious significance. The continuous use over centuries reflects how central this place was to the community's spiritual identity.
Weapons and animal bones were deliberately placed here as offerings, showing how the site served as a spiritual focal point for warriors and their communities. The careful arrangement of these items reveals the importance of ritual practices in Celtic religious life.
The site is located near Compiegne in northwestern France and is accessible by car or on foot from nearby towns. The recovered artifacts are displayed at the Antoine-Vivenel Museum in Compiegne, making it worthwhile to visit both locations together.
Excavations revealed a network of small ritual pits arranged around a larger central pit, suggesting specialized offering practices not commonly found at other Celtic sanctuaries. This layout hints at a sophisticated understanding of sacred space organization.
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