Destructive fire 2019 in his cathedral Mary of Paris led to important discoveries during the restoration work. Archaeologists have found treasures from antiquity to the 19th century.
The marble heads of a crucified Christ and the torso of a statue of a man in a tunic are some of the objects that can be seen today at the Musée de cluny, the medieval art museum in Paris. About 30 pieces of the old lost iconostasis of Notre Dame are shown there for the first time, as part of the exhibition “Making the stones speak. The Medieval Sculptures of Notre Dame,” which runs until March 16, 2025.
“We thoght that this evidence was lost forever,” he told the France 24 the director of the museum Séverine Lepape, while revealing the sculptures, created in 1230 and discovered during excavations carried out before the reconstruction of the cathedral, after the fire of April 2019.
The face of Jesus from a 13th century statue, now on display at the Musée de Cluny
Hamid Azmoun/INRAP
About 1,000 such pieces have come to light in total, including 700 fragments, some of which show well-preserved traces of color: reds, blues, golds and golds.
“The iconostasis is an exceptional revelation, one of those that you come across once in a hundred years. When we find a statue from the 13th century, we are happy, but when we find 1,000, it is incredible,” said archaeologist Christophe Besnier of the French National Institute for preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP)..
Before the fire there were few opportunities to study Notre Dame so closely. It was only in 1847 that the first excavation was carried out on the east side, under the square in front of the temple.When a parking area under the square was built in the 1960s, architectural ruins were discovered and a gallery was created where the finds have been displayed ever since.
Blue and gold on a piece of the lost Notre Dame iconostasis brought to light by restoration work
Denis Gliksman/INRAP
“From an archaeological point of view, the area was relatively unknown, apart from the square. Notre dame was considered a historical monument and not an archaeological site,” said Dorothée Chaoui-derieux, chief custodian of cultural heritage who has been coordinating all archaeological work at Notre Dame since 2019. “We have done about 20 diagnostic or excavation works in the context of this work, which represented almost 2,000 years of history,” she said.
Recreate 2,000 years of history
For centuries, the different uses of space overlapped. The oldest levels belong to the early ancient period. A dwelling from the beginning of the 1st century was uncovered at a depth of 3.5 meters in the heart of the temple. Ruins and artefacts from the Roman era have been found under the cathedral square.
Consequently of the excavations it was possible to find medieval ruins such as the ruins of large buildings from the period when the noble Carolidian family ruled much of western Europe (AD 750 – 887).
view of the excavation in the central aisle of Notre Dame
Denis Gliksman/INRAP
The foundations of the cathedral were also revealed for the first time. “We collected data from almost every period. We will be able to recreate more than 2,000 years of history in this part of the Île de la Cité,” said Christophe Besnier, referring to the Seine island where the cathedral is built.
He still has secrets to reveal
The discovery of two sarcophagi in 2022 under the central passage of Notre-Dame de Paris was highlighted in the French media – and not only -. Even though the church official Antoine de La Porte was identified due to an inscription, the identity of the other dead man was shrouded in mystery.
Last September, the archaeologist Éric Crubézy announced that it could be the poet Joachim du Bellay, who was buried in the cathedral in the 16th century, according to analyzes carried out at the Forensic Institute of the University Hospital of Toulouse. However, not all his colleagues agree with him.
An archaeologist from the french National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) examines one of the dead brought to light by the excavations
EPA/SARAH MEYSSONNIER
Notre Dame still has secrets to reveal. Despite the completion of the restoration work, teams of archaeologists are still busy. “The work is not finished. There is still meaningful analysis to be done in the next two to three years,” said Besnier.
The fire that destroyed the cathedral and shocked the whole world will indirectly help the progress of archaeological research,said Chaoui-Derieux. “Obviously nobody wanted this disaster, but when it happened, as soon as it happened, we tried to look on the radiant side. it is a tragedy that has helped us to enrich our knowledge.”
What are the key findings from the excavations at Notre Dame after the 2019 fire?
Interview Between the Time.news Editor adn archaeologist Christophe Besnier
Editor: Good day, Christophe! thank you for joining us today. The recent discoveries at Notre Dame after the 2019 fire have captivated many. Can you give our readers a brief overview of what these discoveries entail?
Christophe Besnier: Thank you for having me! Yes,indeed,the restoration work following the fire has unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts,revealing nearly 1,000 pieces dating from antiquity to the 19th century. Among them are remarkable sculptures, including marble heads of a crucified Christ and parts of the original iconostasis.
Editor: That sounds astounding! What’s particularly significant about the iconostasis you’ve uncovered?
Christophe Besnier: The iconostasis represents a monumental find. It’s a rare finding—one of those moments we encounter perhaps once in a century. Before this, we had only a vague idea of its original grandeur. The pieces found exhibit elaborate details and could shed light on medieval artistic techniques,especially since many still display vibrant traces of color.
Editor: it’s interesting to consider the artistry and craftsmanship of the past! How did the fire, which many initially perceived as a loss, actually led to a deeper understanding of Notre Dame’s history?
Christophe Besnier: Exactly! Before the fire, our access to study Notre Dame was quite limited. Historic excavations were sporadic and concentrated in specific areas. the necessity for restoration sparked a broader archaeological initiative, allowing us to explore the cathedral’s foundations and recover valuable artifacts that reveal the vibrant history of this iconic structure.
Editor: Were any particular discoveries that stood out to you personally during these excavations?
Christophe Besnier: Oh, there were several! For instance, the sculpture of the face of Jesus from the 13th century is something that truly touched me. It’s astonishing to stand before a piece that was once part of such a revered structure. Each fragment tells a story, enriching our comprehension of the medieval period and the artistic expressions of that time.
Editor: That’s gorgeous. The exhibition “Making the Stones Speak” at the Musée de Cluny is currently showcasing these artifacts. What can attendees expect when they visit?
Christophe Besnier: Visitors will encounter a profound narrative thru art. The exhibition displays around 30 pieces from the lost iconostasis for the first time, along with 700 other fragments. Each piece is not just an artifact; it’s a window into the past. Attendees will experience a tactile connection to history and a deeper appreciation of the perseverance of artistry through the ages.
Editor: It sounds like a must-see! Given the historical importance of Notre Dame, how can these findings influence our understanding of cultural heritage conservation going forward?
Christophe Besnier: These discoveries emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among historians, archaeologists, and restoration experts. They highlight the immense value of historical structures, not merely as monuments but as storytellers of our shared human experience. We need to continue investing in research and protection efforts to safeguard our cultural heritage, ensuring future generations can learn from it.
Editor: Wise words, Christophe. As we wrap up, what’s next for you and your team in this ongoing project?
Christophe Besnier: We will continue our investigations, documenting and analyzing the artifacts we’ve uncovered. Our goal is to ensure that this history is not just preserved but also shared widely. We’re committed to enlightening the public about the rich narrative behind Notre Dame.
Editor: Thank you,Christophe,for your insights! It’s clear that the journey of discovery at Notre Dame is far from over,and we can’t wait to see what more history will reveal.
Christophe Besnier: Thank you for having me! It’s my pleasure to share this journey with everyone.