MYSTERIOUS CHRISTIAN SETTLEMENT DISCOVERED AFTER FOUR CENTURIES UNDERGROUND

Blanc Garidel reports that the only remaining part of the baptistery is its foundation, but the baptismal font is still "in very good condition."

He stated, "This finding confirms the ancient origins of the bishopric of Vence and enhances our understanding of early Christian practices in the Alpes-Maritimes and Provence."

The recent excavation provides insights into the early days of the Diocese of Vence, showing evidence of over six centuries of Christian activity from the fifth to the eleventh centuries.

"However, we still need to do a lot of work and analysis in the coming months to provide more details," Blanc Garidel said.

Workers found several graves in the nave of the cathedral, made with pitched Roman roof tiles, a common building method at that time.

"These burials are likely for religious figures, like bishops or canons, from the Carolingian period," he added. "Radiocarbon dating will help us understand the timeline."

The baptismal font has an octagonal shape on the outside and a cross shape inside. Overall, the excavation uncovers important information about more than six centuries of construction and even reveals a Roman dwelling beneath the cathedral.

Blanc Garidel commented, "One of the most important findings is that the preserved structures give us a glimpse into the history of this monument from the fifth to the eleventh centuries."

The original cathedral was torn down in the eleventh century to build a new one next to it. After the old cathedral was abandoned, workers installed two bell molds in its nave, likely to make bells for the new building.

This discovery is one of several recent findings that improve our understanding of early Christianity in Europe. For example, last year, historians found a silver inscription that is the earliest known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps. Recently, they excavated an ancient Christian warning at a fifth-century church site in Turkey.

Source: Fox News.