Grave of ‘Asterix’ who fought Caesar found in Sussex
THE grave of a “real-life Asterix” containing what is believed to be an ancient Gallic warrior who came to Britain and fought Julius Caesar has been discovered, archaeologists have announced.
The highly elaborate resting place was found on a Sussex building site. The Iron Age warrior, buried with an ornate headdress, is thought to have been a refugee French Gallic fighter who fled Julius Caesar’s legionaries as they swept across continental Europe in about 50BC.
Archaeologists have described the discovery, which will go on display at Chichester’s Novium Museum in January 2020, as “the most elaborately equipped warrior grave ever found in England”.
The grave was found in North Bersted in 2008, but it has taken years of conservation and scientific analysis to prepare the artefacts for display.
Dr Melanie Giles, senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Manchester, said: “We don’t have another burial that combines this quality of weaponry and Celtic art with a date that puts it around the time of Julius Caesar’s attempted conquest of Britain.
“He might be a Frenchman, possibly a real-life Asterix coming to us, to lend us aid in terms of the knowledge he has about strategy, tactics.
“He brings with him his kit, extraordinary weaponry, a beautiful sword… and helmet which is absolutely unique with these wonderful Celtic openwork crests which exaggerate his height and make him absolutely fabulous.”