In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, archaeologists from Inrap made a surprising discovery of a gallows dating back to the 16th century. This find came during a dig ahead of redevelopment work on the Esplanade in Grenoble, where bones of individuals condemned to death were found. The gallows served a dual purpose: it was a site for executing prisoners and displaying their bodies as a warning during a tumultuous period marked by the Protestant Reformation. The site was once believed to be a religious structure before researchers uncovered its true nature. Among the buried were notable figures such as Benoît Croyet and Charles du Puy Montbrun, both accused of rebellious activities against the crown. Excavations revealed at least 32 individuals primarily men, often buried without care alongside each other; a reflection of how violence was treated in that era. The presence of eight stone pillars further implies royal control, indicating a significant judicial practice at play. Nicolas Minvielle-Larousse, an Inrap researcher, emphasized the rarity of such gallows in France, contrasting it with the more common gallows seen throughout Europe during that time. This gallows stood out for its status within the legal hierarchy and contributes to ongoing discussions in anthropology regarding historical mortuary practices. The findings raise important questions about concepts of good and bad deaths in past societies and their implications on beliefs about the afterlife. Investigators hope that this excavation will shed light not only on criminal justice systems of the past but also on the societal values reflected in how lives were deemed worthy or unworthy of dignified burials. Meanwhile, in Texas, archaeologists from Texas Tech University uncovered the remains of Mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo, an 18th-century Catholic mission that addresses significant gaps in the historical record of early Texas. Their findings highlight the importance of this mission in the broader narrative of Texas history, revealing the challenges faced by early settlers and the impact of Spanish colonial efforts in the region.