The mysterious lead sarcophagus in Notre-Dame will soon be opened
A lead sarcophagus recently discovered in the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral will soon be opened at the Forensic Institute of Toulouse (southwest), where it must reveal its secrets “in compliance” with the law on human remains, archaeological excavations officials announced on Thursday.
The anthropomorphic sarcophagus, probably dating back to the 14th century, was excavated in March during archaeological excavations prior to reconstruction work on the cathedral spire, which was partially destroyed by fire in April 2019.
Buried more than a meter underground, on the west side of the transept crossing, it is in good condition of preservation. An endoscopic camera allows an initial exploration inside the sarcophagus, without opening it: the upper part of the deceased’s skeleton, the remains of plants under his head, possibly hair, fabrics as well as a things not yet known.
Taken from the cathedral on Tuesday, the funeral was deposited in a safe location awaiting shipment as soon as possible at the Forensic Institute of Toulouse, Inrap (National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research) said at a press conference.
Forensic doctors and scientists will open the sarcophagus there to study the deceased’s bones and other objects, to determine his gender and his state of health, and to refine by carbon 14 dating a still uncertain chronology, indicated Christophe Besnier, scientific manager of the excavations.
” The sarcophagus is located under embankments containing 14th century furniture … if it turns out that it is indeed a sarcophagus from the Middle Ages, we are in a very rare burial practice. “
– A quote from Christophe Besnier, scientific manager of the excavations
Studies can also provide information on the rank of the deceased, belonging a priori to an ecclesiastical or secular elite.
But the human body is not an archaeological object said Dominique Garcia, president of National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research Inrap . As a human remains, the civil code applies and archaeologists will study it .
The team from the Toulouse Forensic Institute has already studied the burial of Louise de Quengo, a Breton noblewoman who died in 1656, and the very well-preserved remains were found in excavations at the Couvent des Jacobins in Rennes, a- he recalled.
When the study is completed, the sarcophagus will be returned not as an archaeological object but as an anthropological asset . What will be his last resting place? The trail of a re -burial at Notre-Dame is analyzed, according to National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research Inrap .
Louise de Quengo was buried in 2015 in the cemetery of Tonquédec, commune of Côtes-d’Armor.
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