A lead sarcophagus discovered deep within Notre-Dame Cathedral among an ancient graveyard is set to be opened soon, announced French archaeologists.
The sarcophagus was found amidst several tombs of significant archaeological value, located 65 feet below the central intersection of the transept and nave of the 12th century Gothic church, as confirmed by France’s Culture Minister last month.
Excavations were initiated as part of preparations for the reconstruction of Notre-Dame’s iconic spire, which tragically collapsed in a fire in 2019. Archaeologists carefully conducted their work to ensure the delicate floor of the Paris landmark remained undisturbed during the survey.
The graveyard, situated beneath an 18th-century church floor layer, is believed to date back much further, likely to the 14th century. Researchers utilized an endoscopic camera to peek inside the sarcophagus, revealing remains including parts of a skull, a bed of leaves, textile fragments, and various artifacts.
Christophe Besnier, an expert from France’s National Archaeological Institute, noted that placing plants under the skeleton was a customary practice during the burial of religious figures, highlighting the remarkable preservation of the contents over time.
During a press conference, INRAP (France’s national archaeological research institute) announced that the slightly deformed sarcophagus, due to centuries of foundation pressure, was successfully removed from the cathedral on Tuesday. It will soon be transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Toulouse for further examination.
