The discovery of a mysterious sarcophagus that was found inside the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris after its catastrophic fire in 2019 has caused awe.
The sarcophagus is set to be unveiled soon by scientists who have set themselves the goal of revealing its secrets.
According to the Daily Mail, French archaeologists made the announcement on Thursday – just one day before closing three years from the great fire that broke out in the 12th century, shaking the planet.
The finding as well as the whole attempt to repair the great damage caused by the blaze have impressed the public opinion with the French President and his wife having rushed there yesterday in order to inspect the works.
During the work that has begun as part of a huge project to rebuild the temple and while workers made repairs to the church’s ancient belfry last month, they found the well-preserved lead sarcophagus buried 65 feet below the ground, between pipes from bricks of a 19th century heating system.
The sarcophagus, however, is believed to be much older – probably from the 14th century.
Scientists have already looked inside the sarcophagus using an endoscopic camera and spotted the top of a skeleton, a pillow of leaves, perhaps hair, fabric and dry organic matter.
The sarcophagus, which is 1.95 meters long and 48 centimeters wide, was removed from the cathedral on Tuesday, the French National Archaeological Research Institute INRAP said during a press conference.
It is currently being stored in a safe location and will be sent “very soon” to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in the southwestern city of Toulouse.
Medical examiners and scientists will then open the sarcophagus and study its contents to determine the sex of the skeleton and the state of health of the person as long as he lived, said chief archaeologist Christoph Beznier, adding that chronological technology could be used. .
What could possibly, at this point, go wrong? Https: //t.co/FQubKmwvjb
– Paul McAuley (@UnlikelyWorlds) April 14, 2022
“If it turns out that it is actually a sarcophagus of the Middle Ages, we are dealing with an extremely rare burial practice,” said the archaeologist.
Experts hope to clarify the social class of the deceased.
Given the place and manner of burial, it is possible that he belonged to the elite of their time, with his name perhaps appearing in the register of the diocese’s tombs.
Image source: AP-Twitter
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