Abstract
IN carrying out the great works for the improvement and embellishment of Paris under the late Empire, all incidental discoveries of objects relating to art, history, and science, were systematically investigated, recorded, and preserved, instead of being left to the chance and uncertain description of casual and independent observers. In a liberal and enlightened spirit the Municipality of Paris and the Préfet of the Seine (M. Haussmann) established a proper organisation and a staff (Service des fouilles et des substructions) to follow up such discoveries, to take plans of old works, to preserve all art treasures or objects of scientific value; to note, in fact, and to investigate everything of interest. Men eminent in several departments were consulted, and engaged to draw up reports with full illustrations of the discoveries. By these judicious measures, the knowledge of the topography, antiquities, and archæology of Old Paris has been greatly advanced. Works of the Roman, Gallic, and Mediæval periods have been brought to light, surveys and plans made, and the more important specimens preserved in situ or in the public museums.
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01 March 1872
ERRATA.—Page 379, 2nd col., lines 16, 17, should read thus:—
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P., J. La Seine . Nature 5, 377–380 (1872). https://doi.org/10.1038/005377a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/005377a0