Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient charred wall near Notre Dame Cathedral in France, in what has been described as a "major breakthrough" that could lead to the discovery of the "Gallic town" on whose ruins Paris was built.
Historical accounts state that a tribe from Gaul called the "Parisii" set fire to their fortified town in 52 BC, so that it would not fall into the hands of an invading Roman army.
Julius Caesar mentioned the ancient Gallic town of Lotus, but there has been no physical evidence of its existence until now.
French Culture Minister Catherine Bigard said, "We are perhaps facing one of the most important discoveries ever made for understanding the precious 'Lotis'." The ministry hailed the discovery as a "major archaeological breakthrough."
Biggar added: "Scientific caution still requires verifying its function and chronology, but the convergence of indicators is now particularly noticeable."
The discovery was made during restructuring work in the courtyard of the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital. Archaeologists initially hoped to find traces of old dwellings, roads, or medieval sites, but instead found the charred remains of a 20-meter-long wall of stone and wood, typical of Gallic fortifications.
Further excavations revealed the remains of a wooden building destroyed by fire in front of the wall, and a Gallic spearhead was found at its foot, as well as an industrial platform two meters thick made of sand and gravel, which reinforces the hypothesis of a large ancient fortification in the area.
Dorothy Shawi-Derriew, curator of heritage for the regional Department of Antiquities, said: "The architecture of the wall, with its massive blocks and system of crossbeams, quickly led us to think of a wall of Gallic tradition."
Preliminary dating of the wooden elements points to the period between 200 and 10 BC, and may constitute the first archaeological evidence of the most important settlement of the ancient Gallican tribe, and a witness to the Battle of Lotis in which the Gallican tribe faced the Roman legions.
Most importantly, the excavations may prove that Paris was indeed built on the ruins of the ancient Gallic town, making it possible to rule out other hypotheses.
"This discovery fills an archaeological void," said Stéphane Deschamps, regional curator of antiquities. "For centuries, the site of 'Lotis' has been a subject of debate... some even assumed it was in 'Nanterre'. Today, with this wall and its context, we may have the key to the puzzle."
The discovery is not without challenges, as the remains of the wall are very fragile due to exposure to fire, and preserving it in its location is difficult due to its depth, within the framework of the architectural project.
Edward de Lumley, the regional director of cultural affairs in Île-de-France, said: "Preserving this wall on site is not possible within the framework of the planned works. Therefore, a replica will soon be made, and after studying the remains, part of the wall will be rebuilt using original stones."
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