• Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) have uncovered several burials including an anthropomorphic sarcophagus (which reproduces the shape of the man) in "fully preserved" lead.

  • The hypothesis of a burial of a high dignitary seems likely.

  • These excavations precede the restoration work on the spire of the cathedral

After Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, soon a curse?

This Monday, the Ministry of Culture published a press release in which the Minister, Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, announced the discovery of "important archaeological remains" in the excavations preceding the restoration work on the spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral. from Paris.

Among these remains, archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) have uncovered several burials including an anthropomorphic sarcophagus (which reproduces the shape of man) in lead “fully preserved, specifies the ministry.

The first analysis of the furniture contained in the level of embankment surmounting it could lead to dating this burial at the latest from the 14th century.

In view of the characteristics and location of the sarcophagus, the hypothesis of a burial of a high dignitary seems probable.

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“A remarkable scientific quality”

The excavations begun on February 2, which took place at the level of the transept crossing of the cathedral, the intersection of the transept and the main vessel of the nave (the center of the cross), also brought to light the existence of remains of "remarkable scientific quality" and a pit, directly below the level of the present cathedral floor.

This pit contains polychrome sculpted elements identified as belonging to the old rood screen of Notre-Dame, built around 1230 and destroyed at the beginning of the 18th century.

The rood screen is a platform which generally overhangs the Altar and which often closes the choir.

They are often used for Gospel passage reading during reading.

New data to come

These new discoveries could therefore provide new data on this rood screen and on its painted decoration.

During his restoration of the cathedral in the 18th century, the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc had already found other fragments belonging to this rood screen.

Fragments which are now exhibited in the Louvre Museum.

The excavations are scheduled until March 25, and the cathedral could still reveal new treasures.

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