Hidden Staircase Reveals Secrets of the Past
Archaeologists have unveiled a 400-year-old burial vault after following a long-lost staircase.
The staircase was found in the Church of Saint Philibert in Dijon, France.
Hidden within the ancient walls of this Romanesque church, which dates back to the second half of the 12th century, lies a profound testament to the lives that once were. According to the French National Institute for Preventative Archaeological Research (Inrap), explorers stumbled upon this once-forgotten staircase, a portal to the past, stirring emotions and illuminating centuries of rich history.
A Vault of Echoed Lives
In the transept of the church, a vault likely from the 15th or 16th centuries emerged from the shadows. Here, the tales of children and adults whisper through time, their imbued spirits interred in wooden coffins. Inrap’s press release poignantly illustrates the solemn reality: “the bones of each individual being pushed to the sides to make room for the last deceased.” Such a graphic depiction evokes a powerful contemplation of mortality and the rituals surrounding it.
These remains, mostly adults clad in simple shrouds, rest in a hushed embrace. It’s intriguing that only scarce artifacts emerged from their tombs—just a smattering of rare coins and two rosaries, artifacts that may have offered solace in their afterlife or stood as tokens of faith.
Exploration teams uncovered a vault foundation that plunges approximately 9 feet deep into the earth, echoing whispers of the past back to the 11th through the 13th centuries. In total, six sarcophagi were excavated, each a silent witness to lives woven into the very fabric of Dijon’s history.
Preserving a Piece of Heritage
St. Philibert stands as Dijon’s only remaining Romanesque church from the 12th century, framing a community’s past in its majestic structure. According to the Institutional Repository for the University of Notre Dame (CurateND), the church faced abandonment during the tumult of the Revolution in 1795. The story of its resilience is echoed in the bricks, especially as the city repurposed the land, erasing portions of the site to expand Rue des Vieilles-Ovens in 1825.
Today, the Church of Saint Philibert opens its doors for Heritage Days, welcoming visitors eager to explore the layers of history encapsulated within its walls. It invites reflection on the continuity of life, and the reverence shared between the living and the departed. Perhaps, in traversing those ancient steps, one begins to grasp the depth of human experience across centuries.
Interestingly, Dijon is also known for its mustard, famous for adding zest to countless dishes worldwide—a delicious detail that adds flavor to this remarkable locale.
