The seine

This exhibition paints a portrait of the Parisian Seine based on a series of objects found in its bed or on its banks, presented alongside the vestiges of the Archaeological Crypt of the Île de la Cité, in the very heart of Paris. These objects, resulting from search parties or collections, evoke the interactions between humans and the river since Prehistorical times. Illustrated by a variety of iconographical sources, as well as digital renderings, the exhibition draws upon the expertise of several archaeology researchers and brings together almost one hundred and fifty objects collected from the Seine, each of which recounts an episode of Parisian history.

The river that has shaped Paris from the first human settlements to the present day has been the recipient of numerous objects, which have fallen, been discarded, lost, or moved by the currents. All bear witness to the history of the Seine, its evolution, development, and landscapes, but also its successive populations, their lifestyles, beliefs, and struggles. Presented in a chronological fashion, these discoveries are also an opportunity to educate the public about the scientific methods used in the interpretation and dating of archaeological vestiges and objects.

Firstly, the exhibition bears witness to human settlements on the banks of the river in Prehistoric times, and later in antiquity, to the urban development implemented by the Romans. The medieval and modern periods witnessed the deposition of weapons, ex-votos, and waste. Even today, fortuitous discoveries have yielded weapons and architectural fragments. The exhibition also explores the Seine upstream and downstream of Paris, referring to its source in Burgundy, an ancient fishery in the Aube, and a Palaeolithic site at Clichy-la Garenne.

#ExpoSeine #CrypteParis

HEAD CURATOR

Valérie Guillaume, Director of theMusée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris and the Crypte archéologique de l’île de la Cité

COMMISSARIAT SCIENTIFIQUE

Sylvie Robin, Chief Heritage Curator, Head of Archaeological Collections of the musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris