Archaeology is an opportunistic science. Give it a chance to explore a seemingly unattractive plot of land or to delve into the past of a prestigious monument and it will seize the opportunity. This is the case at Notre-Dame de Paris, which, since the fire, has offered researchers an unprecedented glimpse into the secrets of the cathedral builders. And also at Saint-Denis (in the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, north of Paris), where the project to rebuild the basilica’s north tower and spire by 2028 has offered archaeologists an unhoped-for opportunity to excavate the perimeter and a portion of the necropolis of the kings of France.
This stroke of luck is linked to a lightning strike, said Ivan Lafarge of the departmental office of archaeological heritage, which has been coordinating the excavations begun in June 2022. Commissioned by the regional office of cultural affairs, they have in a new way brought together the city’s archaeologists, the department and the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP).
“In 1836,” said Lafarge, “a nasty lightning strike cracked the spire, which peaked at more than 80 meters on the north tower, and it might not be permanently stabilized.” Ten years later, the decision was made to dismantle the whole structure and rebuild it in a consolidated version. However, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879), who was in charge of the operation, took soundings tests under the tower and, faced with retaining walls that appeared unreliable, abandoned the reconstruction project.
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It is the relaunch of this project, decided in 2016, which will thus give archaeologists the opportunity to excavate under and around the northern part of the western facade, prior to a consolidation of the foundations. The irony is that the clearing of the ground has shown that the said foundations were, in fact, extremely solid. “We have lost 170 years,” said Lafargue. “Viollet-le-Duc might have rebuilt as early as 1847, but it has allowed us to carry out these studies.”
The place has a very long history. The basilica was built on a Gallo-Roman cemetery, but above all, it houses the tomb of Saint Denis, who died a martyr around 250. The abbey, a popular place of pilgrimage, welcomed very early on the remains of eminent persons. The oldest identified is Queen Arégonde, daughter-in-law of Clovis, who died in 580. Her sarcophagus was discovered in 1959. This is followed by Dagobert, the basilica’s benefactor, and Pepin the Short, who was crowned king in 754.
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