Ancient tombs and a leaden sarcophagus dating back to the 14th century are uncovered at Paris’ Notre Dame during work to rebuild the cathedral following damage from the 2019 fire
- Ancient tombs and leaden sarcophagus have been found under Notre Dame cathedral during renovation work
- The famous 12th century building in Paris is being rebuilt after it was gutted during a massive fire back in 2019
- Excavation works were commissioned as a precaution before installation of scaffolding needed to repair roof
- Archaeologists said lead sarcophagus probably belonged to high dignitary and may date back to 14th century
Archaeologists have found ancient tombs and a leaden sarcophagus dating back to the 14th century underneath Notre Dame cathedral, in what has been described as a ‘remarkable’ discovery.
They said among the tombs was the ‘completely preserved, human-shaped sarcophagus made of lead’ for ‘a senior dignitary’ and likely dated from the 1300s — the century following the famous building’s construction.
The famous 12th century cathedral is currently being rebuilt after it was gutted by a massive inferno in April 2019.
But prior to the erection of scaffolding needed to restore a 330ft (100-metre) high wooden roof ridge, excavation works were commissioned inside the cathedral as a precautionary measure.
It turned out to be a shrewd move as archaeologists also discovered a pit immediately below the cathedral floor, which was likely to have been made around 1230 when Notre Dame, one of the oldest examples of French Gothic, was under construction.
Archaeologists have found ancient tombs and a leaden sarcophagus (pictured) dating back to the 14th century underneath Notre Dame cathedral, in what has been described as a ‘remarkable’ discovery
These antique objects were found in the floor of Notre Dame cathedral after the discovery of a 14th century lead sarcophagus
Archaeologists said among the tombs was the ‘completely preserved, human-shaped sarcophagus made of lead’ for ‘a senior dignitary’ and likely dated from the 1300s — the century following the famous building’s construction
The famous 12th century cathedral is currently being rebuilt after it was gutted by a massive inferno in April 2019 (pictured)
They hope their discovery will offer a new insight into the history of the building.
‘The floor of the transept crossing has revealed remains of remarkable scientific quality,’ France’s Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot said, adding that excavation works have been extended until March 25.
The excavation site lies under a stony layer that dates from the 18th century, but some lower levels go back as far as the 14th, and some even the early 13th century, the country’s culture ministry said.
Christophe Besnier, from France’s National Archaeological Institute, said: ‘We were able to send a small camera inside which showed cloth remains, organic matter such as hair and plant remains.
‘The fact that these plants are still there indicates that the contents have been very well preserved.’
Archaeologists said the lead sarcophagus probably belonged to a high dignitary and could date back to the 14th century, which – if confirmed – would make it a spectacular find.
Prior to the erection of scaffolding needed to restore a 330ft (100-metre) high wooden roof ridge, excavation works were commissioned inside the cathedral as a precautionary measure
It turned out to be a shrewd move as archaeologists also discovered a pit immediately below the cathedral floor, which was likely to have been made around 1230 when Notre Dame, one of the oldest examples of French Gothic, was under construction
They said among the tombs was the ‘completely preserved, human-shaped sarcophagus made of lead’ for ‘a senior dignitary’ and likely dated from the 1300s — the century following the famous building’s construction
Archaeologists said the lead sarcophagus probably belonged to a high dignitary and could date back to the 14th century, which – if confirmed – would make it a spectacular find
The team of archaeologists in Paris hope their discovery will offer a new insight into the history of the 12th century building
Much of the UNESCO World Heritage landmark building was devastated during the blaze, which led to the roof of the 850-year-old building caving in.
The 300ft-tall Gothic spire collapsed into the embers early in the blaze to pained cries of ‘Oh my God’ from locals transfixed by the unfolding scene.
However, firefighters did manage to spare Notre Dame’s spectacular Gothic facade and two landmark towers from being destroyed, with French President Emmanuel Macron saying at the time that ‘the worst has been avoided’.
He vowed to rebuild Notre Dame by 2024, when Paris is hosting the Olympics, with help from the international community.
The cathedral took two centuries to build but was destroyed in just 63 minutes after a fire broke out during renovation work.
The inferno led to a vast outpouring of emotion, as well as donations from across the world, and within two days about €900m ($1bn; £805m) had been raised for the cathedral’s restoration.
The Notre Dame cathedral in Paris is pictured above in January 2018, a year before it was gutted by fire during a massive blaze
The excavation site lies under a stony layer that dates from the 18th century, but some lower levels go back as far as the 14th, and some even the early 13th century, the country’s culture ministry said
‘The floor of the transept crossing has revealed remains of remarkable scientific quality,’ France’s Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot said, adding that excavation works have been extended until March 25
Christophe Besnier, from France’s National Archaeological Institute, said: ‘We were able to send a small camera inside which showed cloth remains, organic matter such as hair and plant remains’
Our Lady of Paris: The 850-year-old cathedral that survived being sacked in the Revolution to become Europe’s most-visited historical monument
Intrigued by tales of Quasimodo, fascinated by the gargoyles, or on a pilgrimage to see the Crown of Thorns said to have rested on Jesus’ head on the Cross, more than 13 million people each year flock to see Europe’s most popular historic monument.
The 12th century Catholic cathedral is a masterpiece of French Gothic design, with a cavernous vaulted ceiling and some of the largest rose windows on the continent.
It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Paris and its 69m-tall towers were the tallest structures in Paris until the completion of the Eiffel Tower in 1889.
It survived a partial sacking by 16th century zealots and the destruction of many of its treasures during the atheist French Revolution but remains one of the greatest churches in the world and was the scene of Emperor Napoleon’s coronation in 1804.
A view of the middle-age stained glass rosace on the southern side of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral
The foundation stone was laid in front of Pope Alexander III in 1163, with building work on the initial structure completed in 1260.
The roof of the nave was constructed with a new technology: the rib vault. The roof of the nave was supported by crossed ribs which divided each vault into compartments, and the use of four-part rather than six-part rib vaults meant the roofs were stronger and could be higher.
After the original structure was completed in the mid 13th century – following the consecration of the High altar in 1182 – flying buttresses had been invented, and were added to spread the weight of the mighty vault.
The original spire was constructed in the 13th century, probably between 1220 and 1230. It was battered, weakened and bent by the wind over five centuries, and finally was removed in 1786.
During a 19th century restoration, following desecration during the Revolution, it was recreated with a new version of oak covered with lead. The entire spire weighed 750 tons.
At the summit of the spire were held three relics; a tiny piece of the Crown of Thorns, located in the treasury of the Cathedral; and relics of Denis and Saint Genevieve, patron saints of Paris. They were placed there in 1935 by the Archibishop Verdier, to protect the congregation from lightning or other harm.
The Crown of Thorns was one of the great relics of medieval Christianity. It was acquired by Louis IX, king of France, in Constantinople in AD 1239 for the price of 135,000 livres – nearly half the annual expenditure of France.
The elaborate reliquary in which just one of the thorns is housed sits in the Cathedral having been moved from the Saint-Chappelle church in Paris. The thorn is mounted on a large sapphire in the centre.
The crown itself is also held in the cathedral, and is usually on view to the public on Good Friday – which comes at the end of this week.
Notre-Dame de Paris is home to the relic accepted by Catholics the world over cathedral. The holy crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during the Passion
During the 1790s with the country in the grip of atheist Revolution the cathedral was desecrated and much of its religious iconography destroyed. It was rededicated to the Cult of Reason and 28 statues of biblical kings – wrongly believed to by French monarchs – were beheaded. Even the great bells were nearly melted down.
Napoleon returned the cathedral to the Catholic Church and was crowned Emperor there in 1804, but by the middle of the 19th century much of the iconic building.
It wasn’t until the publication of Victor Hugo’s novel – The Hunchback of Notre Dame – in 1831 that public interest in the building resurfaced and repair works began.
A major restoration project was launched in 1845 and took 25 years to be completed.
Architects Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Lassus and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc won the commission.
By 1944 the cathedral was to be damaged again and during the liberation of Paris, stray bullets caused minor damage to the medieval stained glass.
This would be updated with modern designs.
In 1963 France’s Culture Minister, André Malraux, ordered the cleaning of the facade of the cathedral, where 800 years worth of soot and grime were removed.
Notre Dame has a crypt, called the Crypte archéologique de l’île de la Cité, where old architectural ruins are stored. They span from the times of the earliest settlement in Paris to present day.
The cathedral has 10 bells, the heaviest bell – known as the boudon and weighing 13 tonnes – is called Emmanuel and has been rung to mark many historical events throughout time.
At the end of the First and Second World Wars the bell was rung to mark the end of the conflicts.
It is also rung to signify poignant events such as French heads of state dying or following horrific events such as the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001.
The three stained glass rose windows are the most famous features of the cathedral. They were created in the Gothic style between 1225 and 1270.
While most of the original glass is long gone, some remains in the south rose which dates back to the last quarter of the 12th century.
The rest of the windows were restored in the 18th century.
The south rose is made up of 94 medallions which are arranged in four concentric circles.
They portray scenes from the life of Christ and those who knew him – with the inner circle showing the 12 apostles in it 12 medallions.
During the French Revolution rioters set fire to the residence of the archbishop, which was around the side of the cathedral, and the south rose was damaged.
One of the cathedral’s first organs was built in 1403 by Friedrich Schambantz but was replaced in the 18th century before being remade using the pipe work from former instruments.
The Cathedral is also home to a Catholic relic said to be a single thorn from the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on the cross.
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