SYMHC Classics: Paris Catacombs

Explore the interconnected stories of the Paris Catacombs and the mines beneath the city, including the challenge of dealing with a large number of dead bodies and the risk of collapsing into the mines during the 18th century. Learn about the use of limestone in construction, mining practices, and the lack of coordination and oversight that led to collapses and fatalities. This chapter also delves into the efforts to inspect and reinforce the mines for safety, as well as the ideas of reform and change in society during the French Revolution regarding the treatment of bodies after death.