French archaeologists recently discovered the remains of an American hospital dating back to World War I.
The national preventive archaeology institute (INRAP) explained in a French press release translated into English that the camp was discovered in Gagnary-du-Tertre, in the town of Savenay.
Savnay is located in the Pays de la Loire region of northwestern France.
The recently excavated hospital, which was reduced to rubble, was built so Americans would no longer have to rely on French hospitals, a May 16 press release explained.
“Hundreds of hospital facilities connected by ambulances and medical trains [were] Everything from simple field hospitals to vast hospitals are being built across the country. [structures able] Accommodates up to 25,000 wounded and sick [people]” explained INRAP.
The hospital was strategically located near the ports of Nantes and Saint-Nazaire for easy connections to France’s main rail lines.
The first “Sammies,” or American soldiers, arrived in France in June 1917.
Photos released by INRAP show that archaeologists found medical bottles, combs, buttons and even smoking pipes during their excavations.
Also found were medical clamps, razors, a watch case, various cups and a shoe.
The site was divided into two distinct parts.
One was a fenced area built to protect the hospital. Another one consisted of 20 “dump pits” that stored both construction waste and artifacts.
Archaeologists have found evidence of a network of water pipes that provided clean water.
INRAP explained that similar American hospital complexes function as “true autonomous cities”, with their own separate sewerage networks and sometimes even their own rail services.
“[The dump pits] “Both excavation and backfill prove a certain homogeneity, consisting mainly of construction waste,” the translated press release explains.
“Most of the archaeological furniture has been removed from the pit outside the camp.”
INRAP used the excavation as an opportunity to teach high school students about preventive archaeology.
The group said the archaeological dig would provide “numerous research perspectives” and that an exhibition about the project would be opened to the public on Thursday.
Fox News Digital has reached out to INRAP for comment.
