Paris archaeologists discover ancient wall potentially confirming city origins

Archaeologists in Paris have discovered a 20-meter-long stone and wood wall beneath the Hôtel-Dieu hospital on the Île de la Cité. The find is being hailed by France’s Ministry of Culture as a “major breakthrough” that could confirm the location of Lutetia, the ancient Gallic settlement of the Parisii tribe.

Historically, scholars have debated whether the original settlement was located on the Île de la Cité or in the suburb of Nanterre. This discovery provides significant material evidence supporting the island location. The structure shows traces of fire, which may align with Julius Caesar’s accounts in “The Gallic Wars” regarding the Gauls burning their town before the Battle of Lutetia in 52 B.C.

Carbon dating of charred remains places the construction between 200 and 10 B.C. Additional artifacts found at the site include a Gallic spearhead and a two-meter-thick artificial platform made of sand and gravel. While officials emphasize the need for further scientific verification of the wall's exact function and chronology, the convergence of evidence is considered remarkable.