The crews for repair at the Paris Cathedral of Notre Dame that caught fire in 2019 found an ancient graveyard full of tombs, including one entirely preserved, human-shaped sarcophagus made from lead.
This sarcophagus was buried under the central nave where the workers dug footing holes for the scaffolding necessary for the reconstruction of the cathedral’s roof and spire which were destroyed in the fire.
Archeologists were called to the scene to do their investigation.
A Remarkable Scientific Discovery of a Sarcophagus Under Notre Dame
The archeologists who worked at the site confirmed this finding and there was an official statement by the French culture ministry.
What’s more, in addition to the coffin and tombs, the archeologists found painted sculptures as well as the bust of a bearded man, carved veggies and hands, and parts of the original 13th-century rood screen.
This is an ornate partition that divides the altar from the nave. They also unearthed remains of one 19th century brick pipe underground system for heating.
The sarcophagus had bucked from the church’s weight above, but it was still quite well sealed.
The culture ministry points out that this excavation site was underneath a layer of stones dating back from the 18th century, but beneath it, there were levels dating back to as early as the 13th century.
What Was Inside the Sarcophagus?
With the help of a tiny endoscopic camera, the archeologists looked inside the sarcophagus and described it as a remarkable scientific quality, according to the culture ministry.
The body inside was ideally mummified and they reckon it’s a senior dignitary buried somewhere around the 14th, some 100 years after the cathedral was constructed.
The head archeologist, Christophe Besnier, notes that they could see pieces of hair, fabric, and a pillow of leaves on top of the body’s head; this practice was done when religious leaders were mummified.
He also emphasized that the fact that the plants remained in a good state to this date means that the conservation methods were exceptional.
This finding will help further the understanding of the funeral practices of the middle ages, as explained by Dominique Garcia from the National Institute of Archeological Research.
The time for finishing this work is limited. The Notre Dame will be much more modern with significant improvements like a new entrance, softer lighting, and altars rearranged to optimize the number of visitors that can go inside.
The reopening is scheduled for Easter in 2024.
The archeologists were therefore urged to finish their investigations within a week.
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