Today, the southern French city of Nimes is known for its beautiful waterways and well-preserved Roman architecture. But back in the eighth century, it was at the fringe of territorial battles between Germanic tribes and the well-organized forces of a new political superpower known as Islam. Now, archaeologists have discovered the first evidence that Muslims lived in Nimes during this early phase in Islamic expansion across North Africa and Europe. Three newly discovered graves—the oldest Muslim graves in France—hint at what life was like in a medieval city whose residents were a mix of Christians from Rome, local indigenous tribes, and Muslims from Africa.
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Source Credits: Annalee Newitz in ars technica. The photo above is SAG67753 Pont du Gard, Nimes by Marlow William (1740-1813) oil on canvas 77.6×126.2 Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, UK English, out of copyright.