The discovery of the 14th century-old ancient tombs and a leaden sarcophagus under Notre Dame in Paris during preparatory work for rebuilding the cathedral has opened new mysteries for archaeologists.
The video of the latest discovery is doing the rounds on the internet – it shows archaeologists saying that the lead sarcophagus probably belonged to a high dignitary. And if this turns out to be true, it would make it "a spectacular find."
While digging deep to gain more insights into the new discoveries of medieval Gothic architecture, the archaeologists also found fragments of a rood screen and a pit right below the cathedral floor which was likely to have been made around 1230 when Notre Dame was being built.
"We were able to send a small camera inside which showed cloth remains, organic matter such as hair and plant remains," Christophe Besnier from France's National Archaeological Institute said in the video.
"The fact that these plants are still there indicates that the contents have been very well preserved," Besnier added.
Pictures of ancient tombs unearthed at Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral
© Photo : twitter/@AFPphoto
The new discovery was made during the excavation works inside the cathedral before the installation of scaffolding needed to restore a 100-metre high wooden roof ridge.
The excavation site lies under a stony layer that dates from the 18th century, but some lower levels go back as far as the 14th, and some even the early 13th century, France's Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot said.
"The floor of the transept crossing has revealed remains of remarkable scientific quality," Bachelot shared, adding that excavation works have been extended until 25 March.