The popularity of the stories of ancient Gaule is based on a fascination with that time in France's history which we ancient Britons seem to have forgotten in our history. So inspired by the Gauls was a viticulteur in the champagne region that he spent his life with his eyes glued to the soil, looking for signs of their passing.
As the years went by his collection of coins, jewels, artefacts and other paraphernalia grew. So much so that with modern technology (a metal detector and a pilot's licence to overfly the terrain looking for archaeological sites) his collection became very extensive - and very valuable. Naturally this attracted the attention of the authorities. And has ended up with the wine maker being prosecuted for illegal excavation of sites of historical interest. He defended himself by saying he was a "gaule de souche" and only kept gaulist items, throwing Roman objects back into the ground. He had not declared his finds because landowners did not want archaeologists digging up their land (mostly vineyards). The court has been asked to declare the finds the property of the state and the excise men want 180000 euros in duties.
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