Ancient Wall Found Beneath Paris

An ancient wall was found under Paris. This discovery is very important. It may confirm where the first settlement of Paris was. The wall is about 20 meters long. It was built by the Gallic Parisii tribe. They lived by the River Seine. The wall was found near Notre Dame Cathedral. Scientists think it dates back to the time of Julius Caesar. The wall shows signs of fire. This may link to a battle between the Gauls and Romans. The Île de la Cité is the largest island in the Seine. It is the center of the city.

An ancient wall discovered beneath Paris has been called a major breakthrough. France’s culture ministry says this discovery may confirm the location of the city’s original settlement. The wall is about 20 meters long and dates back to the Gallo-Roman period. It was found beneath a building on the Île de la Cité, near Notre Dame Cathedral. This area has been seen as the center of Lutetia, the ancient name for Paris. However, some research suggests that the original settlement may be in Nanterre, a suburb to the west. The culture minister, Catherine Pégard, said this find is very important for understanding Gallic Lutetia. The wall shows signs of fire, which may relate to Caesar’s account of a battle. Carbon dating shows it dates from 200BC to 10BC.

An ancient wall discovered beneath Paris has been described as a major breakthrough by France’s culture ministry. This important archaeological discovery may confirm the location of the city’s original settlement. A roughly 20-meter stretch of wall from the Gallo-Roman period was uncovered this summer beneath a building on the Île de la Cité, close to Notre Dame Cathedral. The stone-and-wood structure is thought to be a fragment of the ramparts of Lutetia, the ancient name for Paris, built by the Gallic Parisii tribe who lived along the River Seine during the iron age. The Île de la Cité has traditionally been seen as the center of Lutetia, but some archaeological research suggests that the original settlement could be in Nanterre, a suburb to the west. Culture minister Catherine Pégard stated that this find is one of the most important remains ever discovered for understanding Gallic Lutetia. The wall bears traces of fire, which may correspond to Caesar’s account that the Gauls set fire to their town before the Battle of Lutetia against the Romans. Carbon dating of the charred evidence shows the find dates back to between 200BC and 10BC, a timeframe that includes the Battle of Lutetia in 52BC.