Mystery of the lead coffin at Notre Dame solved: scientists shed light on the history of the mutilated body (photo)

The restoration of Notre Dame after a large-scale fire in 2019, which significantly damaged the famous cathedral, allowed researchers to access parts of the building that had previously remained untouched.

This was reported by the BBC. In 2022, two lead coffins were found under the nave of Notre Dame, and experts began research to find out who they belonged to.

Thanks to a brass plaque on one of the coffins, it was quickly determined that one of the bodies belonged to Antoine de la Porte, a canon of Notre Dame who died on Christmas Eve 1710 at the age of 83.

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Experts noted that the skeleton of Antoine de la Porte testified to his sedentary lifestyle and teeth preserved in excellent condition. At the same time, the skeleton from the other coffin was radically different: the man died young, had bad teeth, and was probably actively engaged in horseback riding. This body was called a "cavalier" because its pelvic bone indicated considerable experience in horseback riding.

The riding skills are explained by the fact that this person did travel by horseback from Paris to Rome, where he lived for several years and fell in love with a local girl named Faustina.

There is an assumption that his remains could have been moved, as previous attempts to find his grave were unsuccessful - he was buried in a different place than the one indicated in the archives.

The opening of Notre Dame is scheduled for December 8.

Earlier we told you that a "genie's seal" was found in Jerusalem .

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