A group of children in France got quite a surprise while playing at the playground near Josephine Baker Primary School in Dijon. They found a skeleton sitting upright that experts believe dates back thousands of years. Interestingly, this isn’t the first skeleton found recently. It marks the fifth found in March 2026 alone. It’s believed the skeletons belong to a group known as Gauls, who lived in Europe during the Iron and Roman ages. The skeletons are both fascinating and mysterious to archeologists.
Children reportedly found the skeleton sitting up.
Per a news release issued by France’s National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research, the children found the skeleton sitting upright in a “circular pit” near their school. It’s reportedly the fifth skeleton of its kind found sitting upright and facing west with hands resting near their laps. Archaeo-anthropologist Annamaria Latron told French newspaper Le Monde that finding skeletons sitting upright is unusual.
“We are more used to burials of reclining individuals, in general on their backs, with the lower limbs extended and not bent like this,” she added.
Experts believe the skeletons belong to the Gauls.
According to the INRAP, the skeletons likely belonged to the Gauls, who lived in Western Europe between the fifth century BC and fifth century AD. In 2025, 13 skeletons were uncovered in the same region.
Latron said the skeletons give insight into their lives. “Their bones display traces of osteoarthritis, suggesting intense physical activity,” she added.
Why the skeletons are upright remains a mystery.
Latron said that it’s difficult to understand the reasoning behind an upright burial.
“We do not have a preferred hypothesis,” Latron said. “We’re missing the surface layer, which was above the tombs.”
She added that while her career is interesting, it can also have its downsides.
“Being an archaeologist can be a very frustrating profession,” she added.
INRAP shared some photos on Instagram.
“In 2025, Inrap uncovered atypical Gallic burials in Dijon: individuals interred in a seated position. New excavations in 2026 revealed at least five additional burials,” a translation of the post’s caption reads.
The post created a lively conversation and sparked many questions.
“What will become of these graves and bones?” someone asked. “Now that everyone knows of their existence, it is impossible to recreate a schoolyard where children would play, dance, and sing atop these graves.”
“In Paris, the bones were moved to the catacombs before construction. Elsewhere I don’t know,” a follower responded.
Others found the skeletons’ burial positions fascinating. One comment reads: “Oh my word! That’s a VERY DIFFERENT kind of crouch burial, not what I’m used to seeing at all.”
“They played poker to the max,” another person joked.
Those children really did get the surprise of their lives. Hopefully, the adults around were able to calm their fears and use it as a moment to teach their children some history.
