Archaeologists Say They’ve Solved the Mystery of a Lead Coffin Discovered Beneath Notre-Dame

The recent discovery of two lead coffins hidden beneath Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral has shed new light on the identities of the individuals buried there. Initially nicknamed “the horseman” due to a skeletal deformity suggesting equestrian activity, researchers now believe that this mysterious figure is none other than Joachim du Bellay, a prominent French Renaissance poet who passed away in 1560.

Du Bellay’s equestrian skills were well-documented, with accounts of his impressive ride from Paris to Rome despite battling tuberculosis. The horseman’s skeleton showed signs of chronic meningitis caused by bone tuberculosis, aligning with the poet’s documented health struggles. Furthermore, du Bellay’s family ties to the royal court and the pope’s entourage match the high-status nature of the individual buried at Notre-Dame.

While official records state that du Bellay was interred in the Saint-Crépin chapel at Notre-Dame after his death at around age 37, excavations in 1758 failed to locate his remains. Scholars now suspect that his bones were moved to the transept crossing of the cathedral in 1569 following the publication of his complete works. The site where the sarcophagus was found was previously reserved for high church dignitaries, adding weight to the theory that du Bellay was laid to rest there.

Despite some skepticism due to isotope analysis indicating the horseman grew up in Paris or Lyon rather than Anjou, where du Bellay was born, experts believe the evidence linking the skeleton to the poet is compelling. The discovery of the lead coffins and over 1,000 fragments of Notre-Dame’s rood screen during post-fire excavations has provided valuable insights into the cathedral’s history and will aid in its restoration.

As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries surrounding the individuals buried beneath Notre-Dame Cathedral, the story of Joachim du Bellay, the Renaissance poet who may have finally been identified centuries after his death, adds a new chapter to the rich tapestry of French history. the perspective of a small business owner on the challenges and rewards of running a successful business.

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