Sarcophagus Discovered in Notre-Dame de Paris

Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), whose intervention is required in the event of a risk to national heritage, have taken possession of the place where the 100m high scaffolding is to be erected, causing a risk to the basement of the building.

As in many churches, the pavement of the cathedral covers tombs: more than 400 are listed in the epitaph. Some had already been destroyed by the work of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, who equipped the cathedral with a heating system, running huge pipes under the paving of the building. That era did not bother with preventive archaeology.

During their exploration, Inrap archaeologists made two discoveries considered exceptional: a lead sarcophagus and the remains of the old rood screen.

The sarcophagus is made of lead. It is “anthropomorphic,” in that it follows the shape of the human body. Archaeologists estimate that it dates from the 14th century. Given its location, it may contain the remains of a canon.

The lead casing has old perforations, at the level of the head. These have made it possible to slide inside an endoscopic camera, provided by an Arte team present for a filming.

The result raised the excitement of the researchers to a fever pitch. “We saw a body in a very good state of preservation, but also elements of fabric, and plant remains, especially at the level of the head: a priori it looks like boxwood, a practice reserved for a social elite,” indicated the archaeologist Christophe Besnier.

But there is not only a sarcophagus among the treasures collected. In a pit at the northeast corner of the excavation quadrangle, archaeologists have found elements of the old rood screen, built in the Middle Ages and replaced under Louis XIV.

“Unlike the elements of the rood screen revealed by Viollet-le-Duc and exhibited in the Louvre, which are absolutely unpainted, these are of extraordinary polychrome, and even older than the sarcophagus,” explains Christophe Besnier.

But these discoveries have created a source of tension between the reconstruction company and Inrap. The archaeologists, who know that such an opportunity will not come again, have asked for additional excavation times. Philippe Villeneuve, the architect of historical monuments,  while rejoicing in the discoveries, is keen to respect his plan. He must place 600 tons of scaffolding on the site of the excavations.

Archaeologists are under a deadline that runs until March 25. For all that, they are satisfied with their findings. They were even able to make another discovery: during a geophysical survey of the explored surface, they spotted an ancient rampart dating from the late Roman Empire, meters underground. Which of course cannot be explored.

What remains is to have the sarcophagus and its contents analyzed in a forensic laboratory. Before returning it to the rector so that he can decide on another location to lay the coffin and its occupant to rest, until the resurrection of the dead.