Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Funerary stele

This church, dedicated to Saint Peter, is better kown under the name "L'église aux trois sanctuaires". It was erected on the "Butte d'Isle-Aumont" a hill that in acient time may have been a fortified island in the swampy valley. A settlement already existed here in pre-Roman times. Within the 6th century a merovingian necropolis covered the hill. More than a thousand graves have been found and about 600 merovingian sarcophagi have been excavated some decades ago. In 1097 Robert of Molesme founded the priory of Saint-Ursion, a castle was built next to it. Both structures are gone. The church was locked, but Mrs. Jacotin opened the gates and doors and guided us around. Merci beaucoup! Funerary steles, excavated around (and under the choir of the) church are displayed. They are believed to be "early christian". I have seen similar ones in Civaux, another village with a huge merovingian necropolis.