Paris - France
The French Ministry of Culture announced the discovery of an archaeological wall dating back to the Gallo-Roman era extending about 20 metres, during excavations conducted under a hospital on the island of Ile de la Cité, close to Notre Dame Cathedral. It is believed that this wall, made of stone and wood, was part of the walls of Lutetia, the ancient name of Paris, which was built by the Gallic Parisian tribe that lived on the banks of the Seine during the Iron Age.

Resolving a long archaeological controversy

This discovery comes to resolve a long archaeological debate regarding the location of the first population center in the city, as the island of Ile de la Cité is traditionally considered the center of Lutetia, while another theory supported by archaeological research suggests that its original location was in Nanterre, located west of the French capital.

Traces of fire match Caesar's account
The discovered wall bears traces of a fire that may be consistent with the story of the Roman commander Julius Caesar in his book “The Gallic Wars” about the Gauls burning their city before the Battle of Lutetia against the Romans. According to a statement by the Ministry of Culture, the results of carbon dating of the charred materials indicate that they date back to the period extending between 200 and 10 BC, a stage that includes the battle that took place in 52 BC.

Official statements

French Minister of Culture Catherine Bigard described the discovery as a major achievement, noting that it may be among the most important archaeological remains discovered for understanding Lutetia in the time of the Gauls. For his part, Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said, after inspecting the wall, that it was surprising to discover what was likely the origin of the city of Paris. The height of the wall does not exceed one meter, and it remained buried at a depth of four meters in the courtyard of the Hotel Dieu Hospital, the oldest hospital in the French capital. The Coordinator of Archaeological Operations in Paris at the Ministry of Culture, Dorothy Shawi Dirio, confirmed that this wall, built in the expensive style, gradually reveals its secrets.

What does this mean for Arab tourists and investors?
This discovery represents a new opportunity to enhance cultural tourism in Paris, as it could add a unique archaeological site to the itinerary of Arab visitors interested in history and ancient civilizations. It also opens the door for investors in the cultural tourism sector to develop specialized guided experiences about the discovery and its importance. It is a model that Arab countries that have a similar archaeological heritage can benefit from in attracting tourists by highlighting new discoveries and linking them to global historical narratives.