(Grenoble, December 21, 2025) — Archaeologists in Grenoble, France, have unearthed the remains of a 16th-century gallows and the remains of individuals who were publicly executed, revealing a grim chapter in the city’s judicial history. The discovery was made during excavations ahead of planned redevelopment of a former parking area on the Esplanade, a site where many residents previously parked their cars.
The archaeological find sheds light on the practice of public executions and burial practices in 16th-century Grenoble, where condemned individuals were hanged, displayed, and often buried without formal ceremony.
- Archaeological excavations revealed the foundations of a gibbet, known as Port de la roche.
- Human remains found in pits suggest the site served as a burial ground for those executed.
- The discovery was made by researchers from Inrap and the Departmental Archives of Isère.
- The site was located north of the Porte de France, a historically significant area of Grenoble.
The discovery, revealed on December 11, 2025, by Nicolas Minvielle-Larousse, scientific manager at the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), and Éric Syssau, archivist at the Departmental Archives of Isère, includes the masonry foundations of a quadrangular structure. Archaeologists also uncovered several pits containing human remains, according to Inrap. “These were the remains of a gallows, that is to say a judicial building which was used for the exhibition of those condemned to death by hanging which could also serve as a place of burial,” Minvielle-Larousse described.
Background and Context
The archaeological work was initiated in the fall of 2024, mandated by the State prior to the redevelopment of the Esplanade car park. The site’s location, north of the Porte de France, was historically used for public punishments. The gallows, known as Port de la roche, was deliberately positioned to be visible to the public, serving as a stark warning and a demonstration of judicial authority. Public executions were common in 16th-century Europe, often used for crimes ranging from theft to treason. The practice served not only as punishment but also as a form of social control.
The discovery highlights the brutal realities of justice in the 16th century, where public executions were commonplace and often served as a deterrent to crime.
The remains discovered offer a rare glimpse into the lives of those who faced the ultimate punishment and the methods used to carry out justice during that period. The lack of formal burial rites for those executed underscores the societal stigma associated with capital punishment at the time. Further analysis of the remains is expected to provide more insights into the individuals who were condemned and the circumstances of their deaths.
Time.news based this report on reporting by Placegrenet.fr and added independent analysis and context.
