Lost Celtic Fort Linked to Julius Caesar Discovered Beneath Paris Hospital
Archaeologists believe they have unearthed a previously unknown fortification that was destroyed by Roman forces 2,000 years ago.
Archaeologists in Paris may have uncovered a long-lost Celtic fort that was pillaged by Julius Caesar's forces approximately 2,000 years ago. The discovery, made beneath the courtyard of the Hôtel-Dieu, Paris's oldest working hospital, could solve a centuries-old historical mystery.
The potential fort, described as a significant archaeological find, consists of a 65-foot charred stone and timber wall built in a distinct Celtic style. "The wall’s architecture, with its large blocks and interlocking beam system, immediately led us to believe it was a wall of Gallic tradition," stated Dorothée Chaoui-Derieux, the DRAC’s chief curator of heritage. This find fills an "archaeological gap," according to Stéphane Deschamps, regional curator of archaeology at the Île-de-France Regional Archaeology Service.
Located near Notre Dame, the site is believed to be the remains of Lutetia, a Celtic settlement that stood on an island in the River Seine. Historical accounts detail the Gallic Wars, from 58 to 50 B.C., during which Caesar's forces besieged the outpost. The Battle of Lutetia in 52 B.C. reportedly saw the Roman leader defeat the defenders, who then set fire to their settlement and destroyed bridges to prevent its capture.
Evidence found at the base of the newly discovered wall includes a Gallic spearhead. Burnt seeds and charred wooden building remnants suggest the site was indeed engulfed in flames. Carbon dating of the wooden elements places the remnants between 200 and 10 B.C.
Researchers are cautiously optimistic, with Deschamps suggesting this could be "the key to the mystery" of Lutetia. Catherine Pégard, France’s Minister of Culture, noted at a recent conference that while the discovery is significant for understanding Gallic Lutetia, its exact function and chronology still require verification. If confirmed, the find would represent one of the most important discoveries for understanding the ancient settlement.