Archaeologists reveal secrets of 2 sarcophagi found after Notre Dame fire in Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, a landmark in Paris, caught fire in April 2019. In the ashes of the nearly destroyed building, archaeologists discovered two sarcophagi that had been buried beneath the church for centuries.

Who were these people? How did they come to be buried in such a significant place? After careful investigation, researchers have uncovered the mysteries of these sarcophagi, the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) said in a press release on Friday December 9, Canada Today reports.

The lead sarcophagi were found buried in the transept, or cruciform, portion of Notre Dame between February and April 2022, as part of a pre-emptive excavation ahead of future restoration efforts, experts said. The coffins were taken to Toulouse University Hospital for further examination.

Cathedral burials are a longstanding practice and lead coffins are primarily reserved for the elite, INRAP experts said.

Both sarcophagi were relatively well preserved but contained no organic material due to punctures that let air in, the researchers said. The coffins – which differed in shape, age and construction – belonged to different archaeological strata.

A sarcophagus, according to a plaque on the coffin, belonged to Antoine De La Porte, who died on Christmas Eve in 1710, experts said. De La Porte, whose coffin was nicknamed the Jubilee Cannon, died at the age of 83. During his life he helped pay for the choir at Notre Dame Cathedral.

Left: The sarcophagus of Antoine De La Porte in the Nore Dame Cathedral. Right: close-up of the plaque on the De La Porte sarcophagus.

In his coffin, researchers found three medals with his face in profile, bones, and hair.

Left: hair from the well-known coffin. Right: Flowers from the unknown coffin.

The sarcophagus contained the remains of a corolla, now a collection of dried leaves and flowers around the coffin’s head-level, and more dried leaves at belly-level, French researchers said and photos show.

The unknown coffin overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral

The unknown coffin may date from the 14th century, The Guardian reported. The identity of the deceased may never be known; However, he was nicknamed “Le Cavalier” because analysis of his pelvic bones suggests he was a horseman, the outlet reported.

Researchers examined the coffins with X-rays.

The famous stranger likely suffered from a “chronic illness” that destroyed his teeth and a skull deformity caused by wearing a hat as a baby, Eric Crubézy, a professor of biological anthropology at the University of Toulouse, told a news conference , The Guardian reported. “He would have had a difficult end of life.”

Researchers examine the coffin.

Both men were “clearly important,” as evidenced by their tombs in the heart of Notre Dame Cathedral, Crubézy said, according to The Guardian. The rediscovery of their coffins reveals some more secrets of the iconic site.

Efforts are being made to restore Notre Dame after the devastating 2019 fire, ABC News reported in April 2022. The first phase of the restoration involved securing and securing the remaining structure. Now the reconstruction effort is underway with a deadline of 2024 when Paris hosts the Summer Olympics, the outlet reported.