Archaeologists have made a significant discovery of a well-preserved castle dating back 640 years beneath a popular hotel in Vannes, France. The castle, known as Château de l’Hermine and built by John IV the Conqueror in the 1380s, was found during excavations carried out in 2023, revealing its remarkable state of preservation.
The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research reported that the castle’s structure, measuring 42 meters long and 17 meters wide, showcased exceptional thickness in its walls. The site also featured a ducal house, indicating residence for a duke like John IV, surrounded by a moat and a ‘square tower’ on its west side.
The excavation uncovered various staircases, including one in excellent condition with intricate design and surviving steps. Additionally, a plethora of artifacts linked to daily life in the castle, such as clothing, jewelry, coins, locks, and kitchenware, were unearthed.
Furthermore, a thorough investigation of the moat yielded a collection of well-preserved furniture due to the area’s high moisture content, which also helped protect wooden items and barrel fragments. Experts from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research praised the meticulous site management seen in the castle’s construction, highlighting the skillful craftsmanship and resources employed by John IV.
In a separate archaeological find back in 2019, researchers uncovered a grand palace believed to have housed Mayan royalty over a thousand years ago in Kuluba near Cancun, Mexico. The ruins of the six-meter-tall, 55-meter-long, and 15-meter-wide palace, occupied between 600-1050 A.D., suggest its significance during the Mayan empire’s peak between 250 and 900 A.D.
The palace’s location within the Kuluba archaeological zone, closely tied to Maya cities like Ek’ Balam and Chichen Itza, underscores its historical and cultural importance within the region. Archeologist Alfredo Barrera emphasized the ongoing exploration of this substantial structure, indicating further revelations about its role in the ancient Maya civilization.
