French archaeologists are excavating beneath Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, uncovering artifacts that span approximately 1,700 years of the site's history [1].

The project provides a rare opportunity to document the deep stratigraphic layers of the city. By analyzing these remains, researchers can reconstruct the urban evolution of Paris from its earliest foundations to the medieval era.

The excavation began in the summer of 2024 [1]. Researchers are working to document archaeological layers that became accessible following the 2019 fire, which damaged the cathedral and prompted extensive restoration efforts. The dig aims to explore the deep history of the site, including the remnants of Roman-era Paris [1].

Findings at the site indicate a vast timeline of human activity. While some reports state the dig has uncovered about 1,700 years of history [1], other data suggests the layers reach back to Roman Paris roughly 2,000 years ago [2]. This range reflects the complexity of the subterranean strata and the varying depths of the artifacts found.

The effort is being described as a significant archaeological event for the city. By peeling back the layers of soil and stone, the team is identifying how the site transitioned from a Roman settlement into the religious and civic heart of the French capital.

These discoveries occur as the cathedral continues its broader recovery process. The integration of these archaeological findings into the historical record of the monument ensures that the site's ancient origins are preserved alongside its Gothic architecture.

“Archaeologists are excavating beneath Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, uncovering artifacts that span approximately 1,700 years”

The excavation transforms the 2019 fire's aftermath into a scientific opportunity, allowing historians to map the transition of Lutetia—the Roman name for Paris—into a medieval powerhouse. Because urban development usually destroys older layers, this controlled dig offers a precise timeline of how the city's foundations were built and repurposed over two millennia.