Cover, overlapping and layering: protection and promotion of archaeological heritage in Paris

In the contemporary metropolis of Paris are still present traces of the ancient Lutèce. These are almost hidden, as if they were preserved in the historical memory of the city. Comparing old maps with contemporary planimetries, it is possible to identify the most significant architectural presence that still persist on the area of Paris. First archaeological evidence is given by the Crypt of Notre Dame, that is the space located underneath the churchyard of the famous cathedral. It is open to the public for visiting the excavation that has unearthed the ancient urban layout, housing, a thermal system of the 4th century and the old shore of the Seine. This exposition is hypogeum to allow the free use of a so representative space. Instead, Hotel de Cluny is an important museum of medieval art and in its structural system the overlaps will clearly identify: a medieval building of 15th century is superimposed on the Roman thermal baths (of which frigidarium is perfectly preserved) plus another expansion of the 19th century. Last trace of the ancient city is the arena transformed from ancient space for shows to urban park hidden in the 5th arrondissement. Here the stratification is very interesting, in fact part of the cavea was sheared to give way to 19th century buildings. Several conservative methods, protect archaeological persistence to keep alive the memory of the origin of the city.