Under Notre Dame, a 'dig of the century' unearths 1,700 years of history
a day ago
- #Historical Excavation
- #Archaeology
- #Notre Dame
- Archaeologists are excavating beneath Notre Dame's forecourt before landscaping work, unearthing layers of Parisian history spanning over 1,700 years.
- Finds include Roman artifacts like a fourth-century Constantine coin, medieval pottery with mysterious markings, and intact jugs from latrine pits.
- The dig reveals stacked historical periods: medieval houses, Merovingian and Carolingian grain pits, and a Roman quarter, all within 4 meters of earth.
- Discoveries are stored in Paris's archaeology center, with the site offering rare insights due to city redevelopment plans for a greener square by 2028.
- The excavation aims to reach pre-Roman Gaulish layers, highlighting Paris's continuous urban evolution and the interplay between preservation and modernization.