In March, during archaeological research during the reconstruction of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was destroyed by fire in 2019, scientists discovered a mysterious lead sarcophagus next to a number of graves. French archaeologists announced Thursday that it will be opened soon to reveal its secret.
The announcement came a day before the third anniversary of the inferno that devastated the 12th-century Gothic monument in a devastating fire. A month ago, during preparatory work to rebuild the old church tower, workers found the well-preserved sarcophagus buried more than three feet below the ground, between the brick pipes of a 19th-century heating system.
Does the sarcophagus date from the 14th century?
However, the lead box is believed to be much older – possibly from the 14th century. Using an endoscopic camera, scientists have already looked inside the sarcophagus and identified the top half of a skeleton, a pillow made of leaves, bits of cloth and unspecified items.
The sarcophagus was removed from the cathedral on Tuesday, the French archaeological institute INRAP reported at a press conference. It is currently being kept in a safe place and will be shipped “very soon” to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in the southwestern city of Toulouse, it said Thursday.
Forensic experts and investigators will open the sarcophagus there and scrutinize its contents to determine things such as the sex and previous health of the buried person, said lead archaeologist Christophe Besnier. It is hoped to establish the social rank of the deceased. Because of the location and type of burial, he/she probably belonged to the elite of the time, he said.
Fire partially destroyed Notre Dame
Notre Dame was partially destroyed by fire in 2019. The stabilization work was completed last autumn. Since then, the actual reconstruction of the medieval building has started.
Hundreds of oak trees were felled for the reconstruction of the roof construction. The reconstruction of the church was delayed due to the corona pandemic. The reopening of the cathedral is scheduled for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
