A group of student volunteers working on an archaeological site in France recently made an incredible discovery. While excavating the remains of a Gaulish town, they unearthed a little glass bottle hidden inside an earthenware pot, according to the BBC.
The bottle, which had been hidden for nearly 200 years, carried a note from a prior archaeologist who had worked at the same location. Guillaume Blondel, the chief of Eu's Regional Archaeology Service, was sent in to investigate the findings. Blondel opened the bottle and read the note.
The message reads: "PJ Feret, a native of Dieppe, member of various intellectual societies, carried out excavations here in January 1825. He continues his investigations in this vast area known as the Cite de Limes or Caesar's Camp."
PJ Feret was a local notable, and municipal records confirm that he conducted a first dig at the site 200 years ago.
Archaeologists and historians are both excited and fascinated by the discovery. The message could provide insight into the history of the Gaulish village as well as the archaeological procedures used in the early nineteenth century.
"It was the kind of vial that women used to wear around their necks containing smelling salts," team leader Guillaume Blondel, who heads the archaeological service for the town of Eu, told BBC News.
"It was an absolutely magical moment," said Mr Blondel. "We knew there had been excavations here in the past, but to find this message from 200 years ago... it was a total surprise.
"Sometimes you see these time capsules left behind by carpenters when they build houses. But it's very rare in archaeology. Most archaeologists prefer to think that there won't be anyone coming after them because they've done all the work."
Featured Video Of The Day
Pompeii Newly Uncovered Skeletons Reveal Agonising Final Moments Time Capsule From 1920 Found At US High School During Demolition Shopping Mall Demolition Crew Finds Time Capsule. Here's What Happened Next Major Boost To India's Bid For Permanent Seat At UN Security Council "Will Speak In Action, Not Words": Netanyahu Defiant Over Lebanon "Hezbollah Doesn't Want You To Watch This Video": Israel Defence Forces China's Nuclear Submarine Sank During Construction, US Officials Confirm Woman Finds Out Husband Had Affair, Seeks Divorce, He Throws Acid On Her After 100-Year Hypothesis, Scientists Find Cells That Could Heal Wounds Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.