A 20-metre stretch of ancient wall, discovered this summer beneath central Paris, offers a stark physical reminder of Europe's long history of defining its boundaries and excluding those deemed 'outsiders'. This Gallo-Roman structure, found near Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité, is believed to be a fragment of Lutetia's ramparts, the ancient name for Paris. Its emergence from beneath the Hôtel-Dieu hospital speaks to an enduring European obsession with origins and fortification, a historical echo of today's Fortress Europe.
Constructing National Narratives
Culture Minister Catherine Pégard described the wall's discovery as a "major breakthrough" for understanding Gallic Lutetia. Pégard stated, "we may be looking at one of the most important remains ever discovered for understanding Gallic Lutetia." This emphasis on a singular, "Gallic" origin reinforces a narrative that often overlooks the diverse populations who have shaped European cities over centuries. The find on the Île de la Cité also challenges a rival theory, backed by some archaeological research, that placed Lutetia's origin in Nanterre, a western suburb. Even the historical origins of a city become contested ground, much like the narratives surrounding contemporary migration and belonging.
The Legacy of Fortification
The wall is thought to have been built by the Gallic Parisii tribe, who lived along the River Seine in the Iron Age. This ancient stone-and-wood structure served as ramparts, physical barriers defining the limits of their territory. Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars series first mentioned Lutetia, describing it on an island in the River Seine, linked by bridges. This historical account of an island settlement, naturally insulated and later fortified, mirrors the continent's modern attempts to isolate itself behind the walls of the European border regime. Traces of fire on the wall, carbon-dated between 200BC and 10BC, may correspond to Caesar’s account that the Gauls set fire to their town before the Battle of Lutetia in 52BC. This historical context of conflict and defense underscores a long-standing European tradition of militarizing boundaries.
Whose History, Whose City?
Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire remarked, "It’s dizzying to find oneself here and to discover what is probably the origin of the city of Paris." Such statements, while seemingly focused on heritage, contribute to a nationalistic framing of history that can be used to justify exclusionary policies in the present. Dorothee Chaoui-Derieux, coordinator of archaeological operations, noted that "all of our predecessors dreamed of finding traces of Gallic presences on the Ile de la Cite." This highlights a deep-seated desire to solidify a particular, often ethnocentric, identity for the city. The wall, barely a metre high and buried four metres deep in a hospital courtyard, reveals how foundational elements of exclusion are often hidden beneath layers of modern life. Yet, these historical precedents continue to shape policy and public discourse, influencing who is welcomed and who is criminalised for seeking safety and opportunity within Europe's modern borders. The archaeological dig that uncovered the wall began in February beneath the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, bringing these ancient structures to light.