Gaby
During restoration work at Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was nearly destroyed by a fire three years ago, archaeologists uncovered two lead coffins that had been buried beneath the nave for centuries.
The findings were announced by scientists from the University of Toulouse and the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP, France). After several months of investigation, a team led by Éric Crubézy, a professor of biological anthropology, published initial conclusions. The archaeologists used medical equipment from the University of Toulouse hospital during their work. Experts determined that the coffins contained the remains of two wealthy men. Their elite status is indicated both by the lead coffins and by the prestigious burial location.
What the Researchers Discovered
In one grave, scientists found a skeleton alongside fragments of a priest’s clothing. He died in 1710. Inscriptions on the coffin revealed the man’s name: Antoine de la Porta. At the time of his death he was 83 years old and connected to the leadership of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Over the past 300 years his coffin suffered damage. The researchers carefully examined what remained: bones, hair on the skull and chin, and some fabric from his clothing. Analysis of the remains indicated that the man took good care of his teeth and led a sedentary lifestyle. Signs of gout appeared in his bones; that condition is often called the “disease of kings” because it frequently results from overindulgence in food and alcohol.
The second coffin contained the remains of a man of noble descent, aged between 25 and 40. The coffin was shaped to fit his body. While the archaeologists did not determine the wealthy man’s name, they nicknamed him “The Horseman.” The name comes from analysis of the aristocrat’s pelvic bones, which indicated that he rode horses regularly. This individual likely lived before the gout-afflicted priest. Experts believe the nobleman suffered from a chronic illness and may have died from meningitis caused by tuberculosis. In that grave, researchers also found remnants of leaves and flowers, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
The two coffins are markedly different from one another, suggesting that the men probably lived several centuries apart.
In further research, scientists hope to learn more about these two men from the past, including their origins, diets, and the circumstances of their deaths.
Notre-Dame — A Repository of Mysteries
Three years ago, following the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral, French authorities invited INRAP archaeologists to the site. They were tasked with advising on the restoration of the structure and conducting excavations. During the archaeological work at the cathedral, experts discovered not only the two coffins but also sculptures and remnants of original 13th-century architecture.
In April 2019, a fire broke out in the famous Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, which was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Approximately 500 firefighters worked to combat the flames and save the building, but the fire destroyed a significant portion of it.
Currently, restoration work at the cathedral is ongoing. The French hope to reopen the revitalized landmark by 2024, in time for the Summer Olympics in Paris.
