Ancient Baptistery Unearthed in France
Recently, excavations in France have revealed a baptistery that dates back over 1,500 years, providing fascinating insights into early Christian rituals. This baptistery was discovered near the historic cathedral of Bens, a small community located just west of Nice. While the cathedral was uncovered earlier in the year, the baptistery itself was unearthed during the summer.
Fabian Blanc Garridel, the lead archaeologist on the project, shared details of the find. In an email translated from French, he described the baptistery as a circular structure likely surrounded by a series of rows.
According to Garridel, the baptismal font is octagonal on the outside and cross-shaped on the inside, situated next to decorative Roman concrete made with crushed tiles.
He estimates the structure to be around 1,500 to 1,600 years old, positioned conveniently in front of the cathedral—reflecting the typical architectural layout of that time.
Interestingly, the baptistery foundation is the only remaining artifact, although the baptismal font is in remarkably good condition. Garridel noted that this discovery underscores the significance of the ancient Bishop of Bens, enhancing our understanding of early Christian practices in Provence.
Moreover, he suggested that ongoing excavations might reveal how Bens’ parish came into being. Several burials, likely of religious figures from the Carolingian era, were also found in the cathedral’s nave. These tombs, built with slanted Roman roof tiles, reflect the burial customs of that period.
Although further analysis will take time, the site shows evidence of continuous Christian activity from the 5th to the 11th centuries. Garridel remarked that the archaeological structures preserved here provide a richer view of this landmark’s evolution over the centuries.
The cathedral itself was demolished in the 11th century, giving way to a new structure next door. An interesting tidbit—after its abandonment, bells were installed in the nave of the old cathedral, suggesting that there might have been an effort to repurpose or honor the site.
Overall, this find has added to the growing body of discoveries that illuminate the early days of Christianity in Europe. Just last year, historians reported a significant silver inscription as the earliest known Christian evidence north of the Alps. Moreover, an ancient Christian warning was recently uncovered at a 5th-century church site in Türkiye. Such discoveries continue to enrich our understanding of religious history.
