As the sun blazes down, tourists gather outside Notre Dame Cathedral, eager to see its famous gargoyles. Meanwhile, just a few feet below, a team of archaeologists is hard at work, digging through layers of history dating back 2,000 years to Roman Paris.
In 2019, a devastating fire destroyed part of Notre Dame. After years of restoration, the cathedral reopened in late 2024. Now, Paris is looking to revamp the area around it by adding trees and creating shaded spaces. However, before they can start, they must excavate the ground to protect any historical artifacts.
This excavation site has attracted attention, with French media calling it the “dig of the century.” Lucie Altenburg, an archaeologist, noted, “This is a chance to make a real impact on Paris’s history.”
Among the artifacts uncovered are a fourth-century coin featuring Emperor Constantine and fragments of medieval pottery adorned with markings that remain a mystery, akin to a modern-day Da Vinci Code. Emily Carter, a tourist from Manchester, expressed her excitement, saying, “You come to see the cathedral and realize there’s an entire history right beneath you.”
The team has already uncovered layers of history. At about 20 inches deep, they hit remnants of medieval Paris. Digging down 13 feet reveals even older sites, including Roman structures. It’s astonishing how much history is layered in such a small area—an estimated two millennia compressed into just a few feet.
One fascinating aspect of this dig is the old latrines, which served as dumping grounds for discarded items. Researchers have found intact ceramic jugs and cups, surprising because complete artifacts are rarely discovered in such contexts. As archaeologist Valentine Breloux noted, the waste likely helped preserve them over the centuries.
Perhaps the most intriguing finds are those with mysterious red markings. These cryptic symbols, found on various pottery shards, have baffled experts. Breloux described them as the most astonishing artifacts she’s encountered.
Coins serve as critical clues for dating the layers. When cleaned, corroded coins reveal the face of Constantine, helping archaeologists mark the age of the findings. The deeper they dig, the more they discover about the transformation of the site from ancient Lutetia to modern Paris.
The archaeological treasures are transported to a central repository, a “huge archaeological store,” according to archaeologist Camille Colonna. Such digs are rare; most archaeologists work only where construction is starting, so this excavation is a special opportunity arising from the city’s beautification project.
By the time the new square is completed, it aims to create a lush, cooling environment with 160 new trees and reflective water features, making it a pleasant experience for future visitors waiting to explore Notre Dame.
In 2022, archaeologists also unearthed several 14th-century tombs, including a lead sarcophagus thought to belong to a notable individual. Parts of ornate sculptural elements, dating back to when Notre Dame was built, were also discovered, showcasing the cathedral’s original grandeur.
With the excavation still in progress, there’s hope to delve deeper than ever before. Excavators envision uncovering remnants of the Gauls, the original inhabitants of the area, before Roman influence shaped the landscape.
The ongoing discoveries promise to shine a light on the layered history of Paris and remind us that beneath our cities, the past is waiting to be uncovered.
For anyone interested in the rich history of urban archaeology, this project is not just a dig; it’s a journey back in time, revealing stories long buried beneath our feet.
Source link
Notre Dame, CBS, Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
