Lavau Grave

The Lavau Grave is an ancient burial from the middle of the 5th century BC, found near the town of Lavau in the Aube department of north-central France. Discovered in 2014, this special burial held a man over 30 years old, buried with amazing treasures made of gold and beautiful items from far away, like a fancy bronze bowl that may be from Greek or Etruscan lands, along with colorful Greek pottery.

The grave was part of a big ceremony, with the man placed in a large room made of oak trees and covered by a huge mound of earth 40 metres wide and 6 metres tall. This burial was the center of an even larger area used for ceremonies, with older burials dating back to a time called the Late Bronze Age Urnfield culture. The whole place was marked by deep, wide ditches, with the corners pointing to the cardinal directions, showing it was very important.

The items buried with the man, called the 'Prince of Lavau', show he was one of the most important people in his time. The treasures include a shiny belt with silver threads, a beautiful belt clasp made of iron and coral, and a necklace made of amber. These items help us learn about the people who lived there long ago and how they showed respect for their leaders.