Ancient tombs and sarcophagus unearthed beneath Paris' Notre Dame

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) Several tombs and a leaden sarcophagus likely dating from the 14th century have been uncovered by archaeologists at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris as work continues on the building’s reconstruction after its devastating 2019 fire.

The burial sites “of remarkable scientific quality” were unearthed during preparatory work for rebuilding the ancient church’s spire at the central spot where the transept crosses the nave, France’s culture ministry announced late Monday.

Among the tombs was a “completely preserved, human-shaped sarcophagus made of lead”.

It is thought the coffin was made for a senior dignitary in the 1300s – the century after the cathedral’s construction.

As well as the tombs, elements of painted sculptures were found just beneath the current floor level of the cathedral, identified as parts of the original 13th-century rood screen – an architectural element separating the altar area from the nave. .............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/15/ancient-tombs-unearthed-beneath-notre-dame

[Oneironaut]

1. Sorry to be a pedant, but, the 14th century is not "ancient."

These coffins are from the medieval era of history. Also, very cool!

[Haggard Celine]

5. Yeah, I think 'ancient' would have to be about

2000 years old or so. The period of antiquity, the transition from BC to CE. Americans might think 500 years or more would be ancient, but to the rest of the world that isn't all that old.

[TxGuitar]

7. Thank you. I'm no expert

But that was the first thing that came to my mind--how are the 1400s ancient?

[LuvLoogie]

2. For me, Late Medieval isn't quite ancient.

I think you need to go back several thousand years or so before you start talking about ancient stuff. But that's just me.

Still, old is cool. LOL

[ms liberty]

3. Cool. Even with The Guardian's inaccurate use of the word "Ancient"

Instead of using "Medieval" or "Really Old" lol! Great article though, thanks!

[WarGamer]

4. The French and their treatment of burial sites...

Looks like this one was hidden. That's good.

The fucking savages in the French Revolution looted Basilique Saint-Denis in near Paris, tearing up the crypt and scattering bones and remains on the grounds.

Go to the Basilica today and 1) Watch your back, it's in a nasty French district, quite dangerous. 2) The crypts/tombs are all empty, 1000+ years of French Kings and nobility torn to shreds and buried on the grounds in lime in mass graves.

It's a real sore spot for me. I made a point of visiting on one of my Paris visits and it's truly disgusting what happened there in the 18th Century and to make it worse, what's happening today.

[BigmanPigman]

6. Are the miles of skeletal remains in the

underground system the same thing? Are they from the same period?

[WarGamer]

8. Underneath the Basilica St-Denis...

IN that enormous crypt, all the tombs are empty.

A horrible loss of history.

https://uk.tourisme93.com/basilica/map-of-the-tombs-saint-denis-basilica.html

[calimary]

9. Hurts even to think about it.

But actually seeing it - had to be absolutely heartbreaking.

[WarGamer]

10. I don't remember the name...

But in 1793 a French Gov't official knew the order to destroy the tombs was coming so they arranged all of the statues and tomb/monuments to be removed from the Basilica for "saving French Art"

They couldn't remove the human remains.

So a few decades later they came back in and rebuilt the Basilica and re-installed the statues and tomb covers (?)

This little church in a crappy neighborhood is recognized as having some of the most beautiful stained glass on the planet.

It's been vandalized several times over the last decade... I arranged a driver from the hotel and the driver didn't want to take me there. He later said it's embarrassing to the French for such an important place to be in such a bad neighborhood. And he said it's unsafe after dark.

Here's Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette tombs



Louis XII

[Hortensis]

11. Wonderful for this too, WarGamer. Thanks. It's regrettable that

the taxi driver couldn't be more philosophical about the evolutions of his wonderful old city. Now, Las Vegas is one that knows to put all the good tourist stuff together -- on nice, wide boulevards, none of those ridiculously narrow streets.

How exciting for historians to figure out who this important gentleman must have been. I'd imagine the list can't be long, just maybe incomplete.