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On 15 April 2019, the world watched on as the iconic Notre Dame cathedral lit up in flames. The fire had initially broken out under the roof, but sadly, when it was finally extinguished, the 226-foot-tall basilica had already suffered severe damage; the building's upper walls were in ruin, the majority of the roof was destroyed, and its spire had collapsed. The next day, archeologists surveyed the damage and began the process of restoration — which would be extensive given the severity of disrepair. It's not the first time Notre Dame has seen renovations. Still, in this instance, the globally famed cathedral is anticipated to reopen in 2024 once the rebuilding of its desecrated parts comes to an end.
Naturally, the biggest shock was the fire ravaging the majestic, historic building in the French capital that people worldwide instantly recognize and had grown to cherish as an international monument. Or was it? When scientific excavations at Notre Dame took place in early 2022, researchers stumbled upon an unusual and entirely unexpected discovery: two human body-shaped lead sarcophagi dating back centuries. While surprising and perhaps even exciting for historians and archeologists, nobody knew who on earth the people encased within these coffins were. That's no longer the case.
Who Was Buried At Notre Dame?
In recent weeks, researchers announced that they have fathomed whom the sarcophagi contain. They are the final resting places of two wealthy men: a clergy member and a young nobleman.
The clerical man's precise identity is now known; however, the young nobleman's — whose remains suggest he endured hard life — is still a mystery.
Professor of biological anthropology at the University of Toulouse III, Eric Crubézy, led the team of researchers assisting the dig in December 2022, overseeing the opening of the coffins found beneath Notre Dame's spire. He has since spent time studying the bones of the men unearthed to learn about their lifestyles and the ages at which they died.
According to Live Science, Crubézy explained that the first male's identity was discovered thanks to a brass identification plate featured on his coffin, which gave his name as "Antoine de la Porte."
However, to reiterate, the second lead coffin was without a nameplate; the young nobleman within thus remains anonymous. Still, what do scientists currently know about these men and their lives?
Who Was De La Porte?
De la Porte was a canon — a live-in ecclesiastical who worked at Notre Dame. He is said to have used his wealth to support Notre Dame's choir during his time, perhaps his role subsequently earning him the esteemed burial site underneath the central part of the cathedral's transept — a grave space reserved only for the elite, according to historical facts about Notre Dame.
A report from the University of Toulouse states that what's left of De la Porte's body is relatively well-preserved, including his bones, skull, and even his beard hair, along with some textiles. Three medals were also placed on top of his coffin.
Additionally, his teeth were in excellent shape for his age, but his body exhibited no indications of physical activity, meaning he led a sedentary life, as archeologist Christophe Besnier of France’s National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) explained — Besnier also led the excavation.
Furthermore, De la Porte's big toe bone showcased signs of "the disease of kings" — known medically today as gout. This condition is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can arise from excessive eating and drinking too much alcohol.
Kings and wealthy elites certainly suffered no lack of these finer indulgences, hence the condition's befitting nonmedical nickname. Despite his inactive lifestyle and case of gout, he lived until the ripe old age of 83, passing away on December 24, 1710 — with a healthy set of extraordinarily good teeth to boot.
The Unidentified Nobleman — "Le Cavalier"
Unfortunately, the second coffin lacked an identification plate, so experts are still trying to find out to whom its remains resting within belong. What is known about the unidentified man, however — who the University of Toulouse III called an “illustrious stranger” — is that he was between 25 and 40 years old at death, according to Crubézy. Although wealthy, evidence hinted that his body had endured many hardships.
The unknown nobleman's hip bones insinuated that he had been an experienced horse rider from a young age and could have been a knight, leading researchers to dub him “Le Cavalier" — a term translating to "rider" in French.
Moreover, chronic disease had destroyed his teeth in the years and months before his death, while his skull was noticeably (maybe even deliberately) deformed, which may have stemmed from wearing a headband or headdress as an infant.
Crubézy also discovered evidence of reactive bone on Le Cavalier's spine and skull, leading to the conclusion that his cause of death might have ultimately been chronic meningitis due to tuberculosis.
Interestingly, researchers found flowers and leavers on his abdomen and around his skull. It's thought that his skull had been sawn off and his chest opened for embalming — a post-mortem funeral practice that wasn't uncommon among nobility after the mid-sixteenth century.
Although the unknown horseman's date of death could be anywhere between the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries, researchers need to decipher precisely when he died if they are to learn his identity.
In a press conference on December 9, 2022, Christophe Besnier of INRAP said, “If the date of his death was around the second half of the 16th century or early 17th century, we may be able to identify him in the death register that we have. If it’s earlier than that, we probably won’t ever know who he was,” — as The Guardian reports.
Research Will Continue In 2023
Further research will take place over the coming months, concentrating on uncovering more information about the two men's diets and geographical origins, which may offer greater insight into their lives and deaths.
The findings of these investigations are expected in early to mid-2023 — not too much longer to wait to potentially learn who these men really were, given that they've been buried under Notre Dame for many hundreds of years.
Renovations on the monumental religious structure and legendary tourist attraction that housed the centuries-old men's remnants also continue. Until its grand reopening, history-loving visitors will have to console themselves with other famous attractions in Paris, for now — but with the numerous museums in Paris (aside from the Louvre), that won't be a difficult task.
When fully restored, will Notre Dame of the new resemble its former beauty? Only time will tell. Until then, the people of the world eagerly watch and wait for news — just as they did when they watched it burn.