Hidden staircase in church leads archaeologists to unearth 400-year-old burial vault

Archaeologists have unveiled a 400-year-old burial vault after following a long-lost staircase.  

The staircase was found in the Church of Saint Philibert in Dijon, France.

The deceased consisted of mostly adults dressed in shrouds placed in wooden coffins.

Archaeology crews with Inrap found that the foundation of the vault measures about 9 feet in depth, and slab tombs that were discovered date from the 11th through 13th centuries.

Six sarcophagi were also unearthed. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Inrap for comment.

"During the Revolution, the church was abandoned in 1795. It was given to the city which razed the two chapels and apse of the church to expand the present Rue des Vieilles-Ovens in 1825," according to research posted on CurateND.

St. Philibert is open to the public on select dates for Heritage Days.