Three years ago, the world was in shock when the Notre Dame Cathedral went up in flames. It’s been undergoing reconstruction since then, and recently an ancient sarcophagus was found beneath it. 

COmpleted in 1250, this cathedral is a staple in Paris, France, and one of the most notable in history, including having Victor Hugo’s popular novel (and later on Disney film) “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” take place around it. 

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, as it’s also called, has been declining for centuries as it was originally built with oak wood 859 years ago, making it one of the oldest cathedrals in the world. 

The coffin was found underneath a layer of the church floor expected to be from the 18th century, and the coffin itself is likely from the 14th century. The person buried is only identified to probably have been an important religious leader at that time. The sarcophagus is made of lead, and further search with a small camera has helped the expedition team find cloth, hair, and plants preserved within. 

It came as a big surprise to Parisians and the rest of the world in 2019 when Notre Dame Cathedral caught on fire. Thankfully, firefighters showed up on time to put out the fire before the entire foundation collapsed. Many relics were saved, including the Holy Crown of Thorns and St. Louis’ tunic. 

While the cause of the fire is still unknown, it is speculated to have had something to do with the six electronic bells that had been installed in the spire. Workers in the spire had said there was no heat source, making this idea more believable.

Currently, the Notre Dame Cathedral is set to be reopened in 2024. The world eagerly awaits its full repair.