During restoration work at the 12th-century Saint-Philibert Church in Dijon, France, archaeologists discovered a hidden staircase leading to a sealed crypt, untouched for centuries. This finding sheds light on the monument's centuries-long history.
The crypt, presumably dating back to the 15th–16th centuries, contains wooden coffins with the remains of adults and children. The bones had been moved aside to make room for new burials. Several coins and two rosaries were also found.
In the course of the excavations, tombstones from the 11th and 13th centuries and six sarcophagi dating back to the 6th century were discovered, indicating the long-term use of this place for burials.
After the revolution, the church ceased to function and was later used as a warehouse, which led to damage to the foundations. Recent restoration work has opened access to new archaeological layers.
This discovery helps to better understand the development of religious rituals and social changes over the centuries. Further work is ongoing, and more discoveries are expected.