Archaeologists in Belgium have discovered the well-preserved skeleton of a sacrificed dog believed to be nearly 1,800 years old. This rare find was made during an excavation in the village of Velzeke, a former Roman settlement in the Flanders region.
The Solva Archaeology Service uncovered the remains. Experts believe the dog may have been part of a Roman-era ritual. Its bones were found beneath a stone floor, which helped protect them for centuries.
“Because the dog was buried under a foundation of highly calcareous sandstone, the remains are preserved quite well,” said the lead archaeologist, Arne Verbrugge.
Most bones from this period in the region are badly damaged due to time and soil conditions. Verbrugge said it is rare to find Roman-era remains as intact as this. The dog’s jaw and several teeth are still in place, offering researchers a valuable look into ancient practices.
According to Verbrugge, dogs held special meaning in Roman times. People sometimes sacrificed them in ceremonies to cleanse land or homes before building began. This idea comes from the writings of the ancient Roman scholar Varro.
“For the building sacrifice of Velzeke, it is likely that before they wanted to erect the building, they first ‘purified’ the site,” Verbrugge said. Dogs were also believed to protect human graves and guide souls to the afterlife. In some Roman traditions, they were buried during funerals as spiritual guardians.
This is the first discovery in Belgium’s Flanders region of a dog buried as part of a building-related ritual. Similar findings have been reported in the United Kingdom and France.
Stone foundations in Roman Flanders were rare. Verbrugge noted that such structures were usually reserved for villas, public buildings, or places linked to the army or religion. He said this suggests the Velzeke building may have held special importance.
The breed of the sacrificed dog remains unknown. Verbrugge noted that creating defined dog breeds is a relatively recent practice. Scientists plan to clean and study the bones further to learn more about the dog’s age, gender, health, and possible cause of death.
During the same dig, archaeologists found other items, including another dog’s bones, the remains of a young pig, a bronze bowl, and 33 drinking cups. Verbrugge said these items were likely trash left behind by past residents, not part of any ritual.
The team also uncovered signs of craftwork, such as metal scraps and pieces of oven walls. Verbrugge said this shows the area once supported both daily life and spiritual activities. “The finds testify to a rich culture at this place, based on, among other things, imported luxury pottery, jewelry, and even some silver coins.”
