Ancient Secrets and Markings Discovered Under Notre Dame

WHO:

NY Post - Archaeologists are involved in the excavation at Notre Dame Cathedral.

Fox News - Michel Picaud is the president of Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris.

Fox News - Valentine Breloux is an archaeologist involved in the excavation.

Fox News - Lucie Altenburg is a conservator with the Paris archaeology unit.

Fox News - Yasmine Benali is an archaeology student participating in the excavation.

Fox News - Emily Carter is a tourist from Manchester.

WHAT:

NY Post - Archaeologists uncovered a 1,700-year-old Roman coin and unexplained markings.

Fox News - The excavation has revealed a 4th-century coin bearing the face of Emperor Constantine.

Fox News - The excavation has yielded hundreds of objects, including whole jugs, cups, broken plates, and animal bones.

Fox News - The excavation is referred to as the "dig of the century" by French media.

Fox News - Archaeologists found medieval grain pits used to preserve harvested grain from the sixth to the 10th centuries.

Fox News - The excavation is tied to a broader renovation of Notre Dame square, expected to add trees and visitor-friendly features by 2028.

WHERE:

NY Post - The excavation is taking place beneath Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Fox News - The digging is occurring in the cathedral's forecourt, approximately 13 feet below ground.

WHEN:

Fox News - The excavation began after the cathedral was rebuilt following a devastating fire in April 2019.

Fox News - The renovation project is expected to be completed by 2028.

WHY:

Fox News - The excavation aims to uncover evidence of daily life from centuries of Parisian history and to explore layers of history, including Roman and possibly pre-Roman artifacts.

HOW:

Fox News - Archaeologists are digging approximately 13 feet below ground to search for remnants of the city's past.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 17:43 UTC)

Archaeologists are currently excavating beneath Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where they have uncovered a remarkable 1,700-year-old Roman coin and numerous artifacts, including medieval grain pits and everyday objects like jugs and animal bones. This significant dig, referred to as the "dig of the century" by French media, is part of a broader renovation project aimed at enhancing the cathedral's forecourt and is expected to be completed by 2028. Among those involved in the excavation are Michel Picaud, president of Friends of Notre-Dame de Paris, and archaeologist Valentine Breloux, alongside a team that includes conservators and archaeology students.