French archaeologists find ancient grave of child, pet dog By (0) French archeologists dig at an ancient child burial site recent at the Clermont-Ferrand Airport. France's National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research said Thursday the site dates back 2,000 years. Photo courtesy of National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research Twitter Jan. 15 (UPI) -- French archaeologists said Thursday they discovered the grave of a small child with what appears to be a pet dog dating to the Roman rule of the region about 2,000 years ago. The researchers said they found the burial site during a dig at the Clermont-Ferrand Airport in central France. They believe the child was about a year old and buried with animal offerings along with the remains of the pet dog inside a coffin.