Notre Dame’s Secrets Unearthed During Restoration Efforts

The Notre Dame Cathedral, officially known as Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, has stood as a beacon of faith, culture, and architectural brilliance since its construction began in 1163. Completed over nearly two centuries, it represents one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. Over the centuries, Notre Dame has witnessed key historical events, including the coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte and the beatification of Joan of Arc, cementing its place as a symbol of French heritage. The cathedral’s iconic flying buttresses, stained glass windows, and intricate sculptures have drawn visitors from all over the world, making it a treasured landmark in Paris.

Following a devastating fire in April 2019, reconstruction efforts led to an unexpected archaeological dig beneath the famed cathedral, revealing treasures that had remained hidden for centuries.

Rebuilding After the Fire: An Unexpected Discovery

In February 2022, preparations to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral were in full swing. Nearly three years had passed since the tragic fire, with crews working to clear debris and stabilise the stone walls and ceiling vaults. With French President Emmanuel Macron’s ambitious goal to reopen Notre Dame by 2024, the priority was to start rebuilding lost elements, including the iconic wooden spire that once crowned the cathedral.

But before construction could resume, French law required that archaeologists assess any soil disturbance for historical artefacts. Christophe Besnier and his team from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research were given just five weeks to excavate beneath the stone floor at the crossing where the transept meets the nave and choir. The expectations were modest—the team was authorised to dig only 16 inches deep, just enough for the scaffolding’s foundation. To everyone’s surprise, what they uncovered was far more significant.

A Treasure Trove of Forgotten Art

“The remains turned out to be much richer than expected,” Besnier said. His team unearthed a total of 1,035 fragments of various works of art. Among the discoveries were magnificent limestone sculptures that had once adorned the centre of the cathedral—considered by some, like French critic Didier Rykner, as “some of the most exceptional works of sculpture from any period in the world.” Recently, around 30 of these sculptures were displayed at the Musée de Cluny in Paris.

The artefacts included life-sized limestone heads and torsos, neatly buried along the entrance to the choir. The archaeologists even discovered two lead coffins, along with other burials. Permission to dig deeper was soon granted, extending what was originally a five-week project to over two months. The most remarkable find was the remnants of a 13th-century “rood screen”—an intricately sculpted divider that had once separated the choir from the public space.

The Lost Rood Screen

The rood screen at Notre Dame, a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture, had been dismantled in the early 18th century and had largely vanished from history. Only a few fragments remained, and no complete depiction or record of its fate existed until now. The excavation revealed life-sized figures, including a depiction of the lifeless Christ, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. Besnier marvelled at the detailed work, noting, “The rendering of the eyelids, the ears, the nose—it’s incredible.”

In the 13th century, the rood screen served a dual purpose. According to architectural historian Mathieu Lours, it provided a platform from which priests could read scripture to the congregation gathered in the nave, and it offered privacy for the clergy during daily prayers. The sculptures on the screen narrated the central story of Christianity, from the Last Supper to the resurrection.

During medieval times, the screen created an aura of mystery—the faithful could neither see nor hear the priest during the Eucharist. This moment of perceived silence and distance was considered deeply spiritual, a time when “something absolutely incredible is happening. A miracle is happening,” Lours explained.

The End of the Rood Screen

The rood screen stood in Notre Dame for nearly five centuries before changes in liturgical practices and artistic tastes led to its dismantling. King Louis XIV pressured the clergy to remove it to create a more open choir, eventually leading to its burial near where it once stood. Although broken, the sculptures were considered sacred and thus could not leave the church.

Besnier’s excavation recovered around a thousand fragments of the screen, with about 700 still bearing traces of paint. Originally, all sculptures at Notre Dame, including those on the cathedral’s front façade, were brightly painted—a practice that had since faded from fashion. These remnants now offer a rare glimpse into the vibrant colours that once adorned the Gothic masterpiece.

The Future of Notre Dame

While the excavation has shed light on a lost chapter of Notre Dame’s history, Besnier believes much more of the rood screen remains buried beneath the choir. However, with the choir already restored and the reopening date fast approaching, further excavation is unlikely in the near future. “It’s not on the agenda,” Besnier said.

If not for the catastrophic fire, Besnier’s team would never have had the opportunity to uncover even this portion of the rood screen. Fortunately, the archaeological work did not delay the overall restoration—Notre Dame is set to reopen on December 8, marking a new chapter for the beloved cathedral.