Since their discovery more than 60 years ago beneath the city of Lyon, the "fishbone" tunnels have become a true mystery. These tunnels, found by chance in 1959 under the Croix-Rousse hill during construction work, have raised many questions about their origin and purpose.
The unexpected discovery
On February 18, 1959, road workers constructing a tunnel to alleviate traffic congestion discovered an intriguing network of tunnels. This network, composed of 32 identical tunnels, resembled the structure of a fish skeleton, hence its name “fishbone tunnel”.
A persistent mystery
Despite their discovery, the fishbone tunnels were long neglected by the Lyon authorities. In 1961, a water leak from one of the wells led to the discovery of further passages containing human remains and ancient artifacts, including a bronze laurel wreath covered in gold leaf. These discoveries were linked to the time of the Roman city of Lugdunum, but the exact purpose of the tunnels remained unexplained.
Hypotheses about their function
Speculation about the function of fishbone structures has been rife. While various theories have been put forward, such as their use for drainage or as catacombs, no definitive answer has been found as to their purpose. Some believe they were used during the Roman Empire to store tax revenue or even a treasure. Others have suggested they might have been used to hide the Templar treasure, but this has not been confirmed.
New discoveries and dating
Archaeological studies have revealed that the Fishbones date back to the Roman period, approximately between 100 BC and the 1st century AD. The connection between the Fishbones and the Sarrazinières tunnels has also been confirmed, further adding to the complexity of the mystery surrounding their function.
Towards a revelation?
In 2022, specialists presented various hypotheses at a seminar, but no clear consensus was reached regarding the exact reason for the construction of these tunnels. Researchers continue to study the artifacts and explore possibilities to unravel this underground mystery.
Uncertain conclusion
Despite decades of research and discoveries, the Fishbones remain a fascinating enigma. They represent a unique aspect of Lyon's history, but the precise purpose of their construction remains an unsolved mystery, constantly inviting further research and speculation about this enigmatic underground network.
Video
A file by Romain Desgrand can be found on tribunedelyon.fr
