Mysterious ancient coffin discovered in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

During preparations to rebuild the ancient spire of Notre-Dame de Paris last month, workers found a well-preserved coffin buried 20 meters underground between the brick pipes of a magnetic heating system. 19th century. The newly discovered mysterious coffin is believed to be much older, possibly from the 14th century.

Last month, the French Ministry of Culture said that workers had found several graves of “remarkable scientific quality” under the cathedral’s ancient spire.

Scientists peered into the coffin and found the top of a skeleton, a pillow of leaves, cloth, and unidentified objects.

Research Institute Archaeologists France’s national school INRAP said the coffin was removed from the church on April 12. The coffin is being kept in a secure location and will be sent “very soon” to the Forensic Institute in Toulouse.

Then, forensic experts and scientists will open the coffin and study the inside to determine the sex and previous health status of the skeleton, archaeologist Christophe Besnier said.

The coffin was found under a mound with 14th-century furniture, the archaeologist notes, so “if it is indeed a medieval coffin, we are seeing a burial custom.” extremely rare”.

Experts also hope to determine the social rank of the deceased. Given the location and style of burial, the person in the coffin could be a social figure of the time.

The announcement of the ancient coffin was announced just a day before the three-year anniversary of the fire that devastated Notre Dame in Paris that shocked the world and led to a major reconstruction project of the 12th-century Gothic landmark.

Currently, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is in the process of being restored April 2019 fire, Possibly due to electric shock. The 160-year-old Gothic spire and most of the cathedral’s roof were destroyed in the fire, but most of the main stone structure remains. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to restore the cathedral within five years.