In the French capital, Paris, a wall dating back approximately 2000 years has been found. This discovery potentially could help answer an old question related to the beginning of the city's history. The finding occurred in the Île de la Cité area during excavations beneath the Hôtel-Dieu hospital. Archaeologists believe that this stone and wooden wall, stretching about 20 meters, may be part of the defensive structures of ancient Lutetia.
This find is significant because there have long been debates about the exact location of ancient Paris. At that time, the Gallic tribe of the Parisii lived here, and their settlement was called Lutetia. According to one theory, Lutetia was located on the island of Île de la Cité, while another theory suggested the settlement was in the Nanterre area, west of Paris. The discovery of this wall on Île de la Cité has once again sparked active discussions.
The found wall was located approximately 4 meters underground and was about 1 meter high. The excavations were carried out in the courtyard of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital. Archaeological investigations at this site began in February 2026. The wall is constructed of stone and wood, and traces of fire were found on it. Radiocarbon analysis of some parts of the burnt wood showed that these remains could date from the period between 10 BCE and 200 BCE, which coincides with the Battle of Lutetia in 52 BCE.
The discovery of fire traces on the wall has drawn increased attention to this find. Julius Caesar mentioned in his book 'Commentarii de Bello Gallico' that the Gauls set their settlement on fire before the battle with the Roman army. However, the presence of only fire traces does not allow for a definitive assertion that the wall is connected specifically to this event. Further research is required.
Scientists are trying to determine when the wall was built and what its function was. Lutetia is mentioned in the writings of Julius Caesar, who indicated that it was located on the island of the Seine River and was accessible by bridges. This is why Île de la Cité has long been considered a likely site for ancient Paris. Nevertheless, evidence of a Gallic settlement from the ancient period has also been found in Nanterre, leading some archaeologists to suggest that the true Lutetia might have been in Nanterre.
The Ministry of Culture of France believes that this wall could be an important element in understanding ancient Lutetia, but rushing to conclusions and considering it definitive proof is premature. Future excavations and tests will determine the purpose of this wall and the extent of its connection to ancient Lutetia. For now, this finding has provided scientists with a new and significant key to studying the early history of Paris.