Archaeologists begin work after the fire

Archaeologists started their work at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris the day after a major fire on April 15, 2019. The fire caused significant damage to the structure and raised concerns about the preservation of historical elements beneath the ruins.

Excavation reveals medieval history

An excavation led by the Inrap, a French national institute for archaeological research, uncovered important data about the cathedral’s construction and its evolution over time. The findings included evidence of burials and well-preserved elements from a medieval jubé, a decorative structure that was destroyed during the reign of Louis XIV.

Notable experts involved

Dorothée Chaoui-Derieux, Chief Conservator of Heritage for the Drac Île-de-France regional archaeology service, was among the experts involved in the project. Her role included overseeing the preservation and study of historical materials found during the excavation.

Collaboration with restoration teams

Christophe Besnier, Head of Archaeological Research at Inrap, worked alongside Philippe Villeneuve, Chief Architect of Historic Monuments, and Philippe Jost, Deputy Director of the Public Establishment responsible for the cathedral’s conservation and restoration. Their collaboration aimed to ensure that the archaeological findings would inform the rebuilding efforts.

Significance of the findings

The discovery of medieval elements in an exceptional state of preservation provides valuable insights into the cathedral’s past. These findings will help guide the restoration and ensure that historical details are accurately represented in the cathedral’s future reconstruction.