Archaeologists in Paris have identified a mysterious skeleton discovered beneath the Notre-Dame Cathedral as Joachim du Bellay, a renowned French Renaissance poet who died in 1560. The identification brings closure to a long-standing mystery about du Bellay’s final resting place, which had eluded historians for centuries.
The skeleton, dubbed “the horseman” due to signs of extensive horseback riding, was found in one of two lead-lined coffins unearthed in 2022 during reconstruction efforts at the cathedral following the devastating 2019 fire. While one coffin bore a brass plate identifying its occupant as Antoine de la Porte, a high-ranking cleric who died in 1710, the identity of the second individual remained unknown until now.
The lead coffins were buried 65 feet beneath the cathedral’s nave, an area typically reserved for individuals of significant social and religious status. Lead coffins, which prevent moisture and decomposition, were often used by elites, suggesting that both individuals buried there were of high standing.
Initial analysis revealed that the second skeleton belonged to a man in his 30s who suffered from chronic diseases, including tuberculosis and meningitis. These health issues, coupled with deformities caused by frequent horse riding, led to the “horseman” nickname. However, forensic details and historical clues soon pointed toward Joachim du Bellay, a prominent poet who died at age 37.
Dr. Éric Crubézy, a biological anthropologist at the University of Toulouse III, played a central role in identifying the remains. “He matches all the criteria of the portrait,” Crubézy said during a press conference on September 17, 2023. He referenced du Bellay’s documented equestrian skills and his poor health, both reflected in the skeleton’s physical condition. “He once rode from Paris to Rome, which is no mean feat when you have tuberculosis like he did. In fact, he almost died from it,” Crubézy added, as quoted by La Croix.
The skeletal remains also showed signs of bone tuberculosis and chronic meningitis—both ailments mentioned in du Bellay’s own writings. In his poem La Complainte du désespéré (The Complaint of the Despairing), the poet wrote about the “storm that blurs [his] mind,” likely alluding to the mental effects of his illnesses. Furthermore, du Bellay’s family ties to the royal court and his close association with the Pope’s entourage support the hypothesis that he would have been interred in such a prestigious location.
Historical records had previously indicated that du Bellay was buried in Notre-Dame’s Saint-Crépin chapel, near his relative, Cardinal Jean du Bellay. However, an 18th-century excavation failed to find his remains, leading scholars to believe they had been moved. It is now suspected that the relocation occurred in 1569, shortly after the publication of du Bellay’s complete works.
🔎 Avancées des recherches à Notre-Dame de Paris
Les découvertes archéologiques renouvellent considérablement les connaissances sur Notre-Dame et sur l’histoire de l’île de la Cité. Elles documentent de manière ininterrompue 2000 ans d’histoire 👉https://t.co/09NenSqG15 pic.twitter.com/wOfvrIjsG9
— Inrap (@Inrap) September 17, 2024
While the evidence linking du Bellay to the “horseman” is compelling, not all experts are entirely convinced. Christophe Besnier, the lead archaeologist with France’s National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), noted that isotope analysis of the skeleton’s teeth suggests the individual grew up in the Paris or Lyon regions. Du Bellay, on the other hand, was born in Anjou, in western France.
Crubézy countered this claim by pointing out that du Bellay spent much of his childhood in Paris under the care of his older relative, Jean du Bellay, who served as the city’s bishop. This connection could explain the Parisian isotopic signature found in the “horseman’s” teeth.
Dominique Garcia, president of INRAP, expressed confidence in the identification despite these uncertainties. “What more can we have?” he asked in an interview with Le Monde. “Find [du Bellay’s] toothbrush to check that the DNA matches? His age and pathology alone offer remarkable statistical solidity.”
The identification of Joachim du Bellay’s remains closes a centuries-old chapter in French history. His literary contributions during the Renaissance, including his defense of French as a language capable of rivaling Greek and Latin, cemented his place in France’s cultural heritage.
The discovery of du Bellay’s remains, alongside other important finds from the Notre-Dame excavations, underscores the historical significance of the cathedral, which is set to reopen in December 2024.
