Several ancient relics were uncovered at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris as work continues on restoring the historic church.
The unearthed artifacts include ancient tombs and a “fully preserved anthropomorphic sarcophagus made of lead,” which was discovered during an archaeological excavation operation as part of preparation efforts to rebuild the church’s spire and likely dates back to the 14th century, France’s Ministry of Culture said Monday.
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Based on the location of the tomb and its characteristics, it’s likely to be the burial place of a dignitary, archaeologists said.
Bravo à l’@Inrap pour le chantier de fouilles exemplaire réalisé à #notredamedeparis.
Il a permis des découvertes importantes qui vont significativement enrichir nos connaissances sur la Cathédrale.
Merci à @GarciaDInrap et au Général Georgelin pour leur énergie communicative ! pic.twitter.com/rcJTddDAXu— Roselyne Bachelot (@R_Bachelot) March 15, 2022
Elements of a painted sculpture, identified as part of the church’s original 12th-century rood screen, were also found under the cathedral’s floor during the excavation.
The rood screen was an element of medieval church architecture that spanned between the nave to the entrance to the chancel, according to Britannica. At first, the great rood of a medieval church was supported by a single beam, spanning the nave at the entrance to the chancel and known as the rood beam.
Efforts to rebuild the church began after the cathedral caught fire in 2019, destroying the spire and gutting the roof in the process. After more than 14 hours, and with the help of more than 400 firemen, the fire was extinguished, efforts that salvaged the cathedral’s bell towers and many valuable works of art inside.
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French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to rebuild the cathedral within five years.
Excavation efforts started Feb. 2 and will continue through March 25, according to the ministry.
