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Strangers dug a large hole in an ancient prehistoric tomb. This cultural property was thus partially destroyed.
The Jolimont site, in the town of Gals, was “visited”.
Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern
Unknown persons have massively damaged the archaeological site of Jolimont, in the canton of Bern, announced on Tuesday the Archaeological Service of the canton of Bern. This place is located between the municipalities of Cerlier and Gals. It had been erected at the time of the Celts and served as a funerary monument. A hole 2 m deep and 1.50 m in diameter was discovered by chance.
“It can be assumed that the looters thought the tomb was richly endowed and they, by means of a metal detector, tried to locate metal parts. They probably did not find anything, since the site was already the subject of excavations in 1847”, indicates the Archaeological Service in a press release.
As a reminder, archaeological sites are of public interest and are protected by law. The looting of Jolimont is not an isolated case. A few years ago, a burial mound near Münchenbuchsee (BE) was destroyed. Many sites close to castles are regularly excavated.
(on / jbm)