Students from Howard Community College are assisting in an archaeological dig in France.

HCC is the only U.S. college invited to participate in the three-year excavation of the Roman site of Bibracte, in Burgundy, France, which also involves students and staff from European universities, according to a statement from the college.

The first group of HCC students to assist in the dig returned to the U.S. in late August. The group was led by Laura Cripps, an archaeologist and HCC social science instructor, and included Columbia resident Patrick Gotis, Laurel resident Jaimie Wilder, Highland resident Charlie Gait and Ellicott City resident Stephen Cox.

Bibracte was a small Roman city conquered by Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars (circa 58-51 B.C.). Scholars use artifacts discovered at the site to help interpret Gaulish culture, and the site serves as training grounds for young archaeologists. The Center for European Archaeological Research in Bibracte organized HCC students' involvement in the project, which is supported by the French government.

Among the artifacts found by the HCC students were coins dating from first century B.C. to first century A.D.; pieces of amphora or jars used to carry fish-paste and olive oil; terra sigulata or fine Roman tableware; parts of a copper bracelet; and pottery pieces marked with graffiti, according to a press release from HCC.

HCC will continue to participate in the project, which includes teams from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland; University of Paris Sorbonne, France; National Centre for Scientific Research, France; University of Durham, England; University of Bologna, Italy; University of Brussels, Belgium; University of Mainz, Germany; University of Leipzig, Germany; and University of Budapest, Hungary.

-- Jennifer Broadwater

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