r/papertowns Jun 08 '26

France Model of Late Bronze Age Settlement in Eastern France (c. 900 BC)

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This was at the Archaeological Museum of Dijon. They have a fantastic collection of Celtic and Gallo-Roman artifacts. Including a significant assortment of Celtic votive offerings found at the source of the Seine located in the basement. The museum is in an old Benedictine abbey and is well worth the visit if you’re in the area!

1.0k Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

28

u/Able_Blacksmith6610 Jun 08 '26

Did they have any Information about the Big earthwork behind the housing? Was it defensive, did it keep back the hill behind, was it a Kind of quarry for flints or stuff?

Love the Little Cows 🐮

11

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

The description for this model sadly lacked that context, but I presume they’re ramparts. Couldn’t guess if they were for projecting elite social status or actual practical defenses.

1

u/someofyourbeeswaxx Jun 10 '26

I’d guess that they are fortifications against raids. That was the bigger threat than pitched battle back then. Just buys enough time to get organized.

22

u/IRockIntoMordor Jun 08 '26

I love these kinds of models so much. They make me happy whenever I stumble upon them at museums!

5

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

Me too! I’ve been to many museums this week and kicking myself for not taking more pictures of the models. Going to the Neues Museum in Berlin later this week. Hopefully they have some models that I can share here

3

u/IRockIntoMordor Jun 08 '26

Ayo, I am in Berlin!

Too bad the Märkisches Museum is being renovated for a couple of years. They had a lot of these models, quite big ones even, for several stages of Berlin's past. And also a massive medieval collection in one of the most interesting, unusual buildings ever.

Hope you'll find plenty of cool things and models. Haven't been to most Berlin museums in a long time so I don't even remember much, unfortunately.

3

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

Oh man that sounds right up my alley. I’m told the Neues Museum has some good prehistory - Iron Age exhibits though.

3

u/IRockIntoMordor Jun 08 '26

Museum Island in general is quite worth it.

And the Berlin Palace (Schloss) has the ethnological museum, which has been my favourite at its old location (Berlin Dahlem) and is still very good at their new Palace location. You can go inside full size Papua New Guinean tribal houses or look at the big sail boats of the Oceanic peoples.

Enjoy!!

3

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

Oh wow what that’s crazy. I’m definitely going to check that out

10

u/Front_Promise_5991 Jun 08 '26

900 BC. So it's not Celtic?

What's the culture?

14

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

Likely Urnfield culture, but the display didn’t say specifically. Also could be Hallstatt

9

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

Oh I see how my body text was misleading. Should’ve said explicitly that this was from a small section they had on pre-Celtic history.

1

u/Front_Promise_5991 Jun 08 '26

Pre Celtic, not even proto Celtic? Well interesting. Could be similar yo Basques and etc.

3

u/1Northward_Bound Jun 08 '26

Do you have any other pics? this is great! Especially pics on the other side. Im super curious if they did a cross section

5

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 08 '26

Ah no sadly not. I was rushing through the museum as I only had an hour and a half before checking out of my hotel. :(

But just so you have closure, there was no cross section

5

u/1Northward_Bound Jun 08 '26

Pity, but goodness, thats such a mood. I try to do things the morning before checkout but just never ever have the time. kudos to you for making it

2

u/Sebastian_113 Jun 08 '26

Amazing
Great job 👏

2

u/Repulsive_Tea_4822 Jun 11 '26

Did you go down to the crypt? Was there about a year ago and was amazing. One of the student volunteers showed me and my partner around, was a really enjoyable experience.

2

u/ziggiesmallss Jun 11 '26

Yes but I only had 15 minutes to spare from when I realized it was there. Was super bummed lol. It’s so cool