Definition: Tournai is a Frankish town in Belgium, and the site of the royal tomb of Childeric [AD 457–481], father of Clovis, founder of the Merovingian dynasty. Childeric's tomb was rediscovered in 1653 and, believe it or not, the excavations were published shortly after wards. Childric's tomb contained gold, silver, and precious stones such as garnet, in the shape of swords, cross bows, and belt buckles. Tournai is one of the oldest towns in Belgium, founded by the Romans about AD 50, on the road between Cologne (Germany) and Boulogne (France). Many of the Gallo-Roman artifacts were on display in the Museum of Archaeology in 1940, when the city was bombed by the Germans.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
