Ancient DNA Samples from Gallic Chariot Burials

Archaeological digs have the potential to be exciting workspaces; however, the discovery of chariot burial sites often tops most archeologists’ lists of finds. These burial sites are relatively rare, but they help conjure enough of an understanding of the Iron Age nobility and their wheeled apparatus to create a great deal of exhilaration when untombed. 

How did chariot burials originate?

Chariot burials were a unique form of internment in which the person who passed away was entombed along with their chariot.

Although the earliest of these burials were originally from the Yamna culture in Russia, the practice also extended to the time of the Yin Dynasty in China. However, the most notable chariot burials tended to be from the Iron Age in Europe.

The reason for this may be due to the prominent role that chariots played in the lifestyles of Europeans at that time - especially for the Celts, as they made use of the chariot in battle from early on in their formation. 

The role of the chariot in Celtic warfare became more prominent during the La Tene Period, as the tribe began to engage in an increasing number of small-scale battles between more established and elite warriors who fought predominantly with the Celtic longsword.

This large, straight-bladed, and double-edged weapon evolved over the years to become shorter and more suited to larger armies. However, the earlier version of the sword was befited to fighting at a distance, and thus, chariots were involved to suit this fast and frenzied form of battle. 

These chariots were usually two-wheeled and typically nimble, as they were designed to maneuver in many directions in an attempt to break the initial ranks of their opposition. In fact, it was not uncommon for the warriors to jump from their chariots to engage in hand-to-hand combat before returning to them in order to retreat. These combatants were often regarded as notable characters in their culture, and as a result, upon their death, their burial typically reflected this regard. 

What did chariot burials look like?

The elite of the Iron Age were often buried in vast tombs atop their two-wheeled chariots, usually under a form of a burial mound. As expected, the wooden elements of the chariots decayed over time, yet the metal ones, such as the iron wheel covers and harnesses, remained intact. 

Men were usually buried with their weapons, whereas the women were dressed in expensive jewelry. This practice often involved entombing the horse and personal possessions along with the individual, most likely in an attempt to equip them for the afterlife. What’s more, the dead were accompanied by well-used weapons, and the chariots displayed signs of needing repair, which demonstrates their battle prowess in life. 

Chariot burial tombs have been unearthed in a range of different countries, such as Ireland, England, and Italy, yet one of the most extraordinary examples of such was recently discovered on a motorway being constructed between Charleville-Mezieres and Rocroi in France - the Bucy-le-Long chariot burial site.

The Bucy-le-Long chariot burial

The Bucy-le-Long burial chamber was originally covered with wood which was supported by the walls, and decorative bronze elements were found to have still been attached to the wood of the shaft. The remains of two small horses were also discovered, with their bones still remarkably intact. Even more interestingly, this particular chariot burial seemed to contain the remains of a female of high societal status, as she was dressed in an ornate torque and earrings.

Furthermore, she was interred with items such as a needle and spindle, a set of tweezers, and a scalpel. Questions have been raised about the woman’s position in society - her chariot and horses’ harnesses were decorated with bronze detailing, and the chariots showed significant signs of wear and tear - thus, she may have been a prominent warrior.

All of these findings at Bucy-le-Long are significant in comparison to other chariot burial sites, as they further the understanding around this tradition. 

The role of the Gallic Wars in chariot graves

It may be the case that the discovery of chariot burial sites across such a vast area of land may be due to the influence of the Gallic Wars - a series of battles waged by Julius Caesar against the people of Gaul (modern-day France, Belgium, and Germany). Caesar conquered parts of France and Belgium and sold tribes into slavery in an attempt to compensate for a poor harvest and lack of food supply. However, he was met with staunch resistance by the Gallic, Britonic, and Germanic tribes as they rallied against invasion from the Romans. 

Moreover, it may be the Belgic tribe that enacted the most effective opposition - their leader, Ambiorix, revolted against the Romans in 54-53 BC along with his tribe, the Eburones. This opposition resulted in the death of fifteen Roman cohorts, leading Caesar to intervene and swear that he would enact his revenge. Thus, tribes were slaughtered, their land was destroyed, and the Eburones tribe and all of their comrades were eventually nearly completely exterminated. 

Caesar documented the Gallic Wars in his book Commentarii de Bello Gallico and claimed that over a million Gauls were slain over the course of the conflict. However biased his reporting of this number might be, there were still a high number of Gauls killed in battle, as well as civilians. This high death toll goes some way towards explaining the vast amount of chariot graves across Europe, as many notable warriors were slain in defense of the tribes. 

Conclusion

With the help of My True Ancestry, you can explore our DNA spotlights to help determine whether you have any link to the notable individuals whose remains were entombed in chariot graves - you may even discover that you’re descendent from a notable Gallic warrior!

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