Located near Tlalim Junction, the excavation site has revealed dozens of tombs containing a rich variety of artifacts.
Archaeologists found "Roman pottery representing the legacy of the former regional capital city, Isca Dumnoniorum, and an early medieval fired clay weight."
INRAP calls it a major discovery, with only about fifty such burials found in France and Switzerland.
Researchers believe the young woman may have been sacrificed due to her fertility, possibly as a ritual offering to appease the gods during devastating El Niño events to ensure agricultural success.
"The three plants form the basis for primary colors. They were often combined to make other shades like green, orange, purple, and even black."
Recent discoveries challenge ideas of a sharp divide between the haves and have-nots in ancient Mesopotamia, suggesting a larger middle class than previously thought.
The excavations have provided new data about the multifaceted history of Philippi after the 6th century CE, overturning previous assumptions that the city was abandoned during this period.
JPOST Digital Library
