Secret societies have always been part of conspiracy theories and widely recognized as myths. In fact, few of these really exist for lack of any reasonable evidence. But it was only recently that evidence hinting to a supposedly still functioning underground society was said to have been discovered in the Parisian catacombs.
Here’s what Paris’s police found during a visit to the catacombs…
Paris’s catacombs are a large trail network of former mining tunnels.
What are now the catacombs of Paris used to be a long network of mines for limestone quarries from as far back as the 13th century. Toward the 17th century, Paris began facing a huge problem with its burial system to the point where the city was overflowing with bodies. At which point, it was considered best to relocate the remains of about 6 million people to the underground tunnel system, which now serve as the catacombs.
Only about a mile of the supposed 200 mile long network of the ossuary is open for public visitation.
Sometime between 1814 and 1815, the catacombs were opened up for public visitation, although a majority of the network is restricted to the public till date. These quarantined pockets are regularly patrolled by the police and trespassers are fined with about ₹5000, if found breaching.
But that still doesn’t stop enthusiastic city explorers from heading to restricted pockets.
In fact, one of the more cumbersome problems that the city has is with mischievous citizens constantly breaking into the quarantined areas for everything from parties to just usual exploration runs. The colloquial term for these guys is ‘cataphile’, and there is a huge community of them.
Back in 2004, the police stumbled upon evidence of a secret organisation dwelling within the catacombs.
In a routine patrol through the catacombs the Paris police discovered a fully equipped cinema-cum-restaurant in a large and previously uncharted cavern underneath the capital. The supposed “headquarters” of this group had been fully equipped with electricity and phone lines, with a ceiling that was painted with swastikas, Celtic crosses, and stars of David. Experts suggest that this indicates that the organisation is not radically religious.
When the police returned a few days later to investigate the source of electricity, everything had been cleaned out.
The police found the electricity and phone lines cut, with a note set in the middle of the room saying, “Do not try to find us.” The original discovery of the room included a fully functional amphitheatre with a tape recorder that played the sound of dogs barking whenever tripped by someone entering the room – clearly to keep away onlookers. All of the equipment was moved as quickly as it was found.
Later, a secretive group of explorers anonymously admitted to being responsible.
The faction called itself the Mexican Consolidated Drilling Authority, and admitted to RTL Radio of organising art events within the vast tunnel network. Sources also indicate of the group’s involvement in bettering and improving run-down parts of the city, using secret entries and exits laid across the city. And they have been doing this for the last 40 years.
The group is extremely secretive and quiet about their whereabouts and operations, but definitely one of the more famous and revered. Certain reports, and stories spread through word of mouth, have pointed toward their activity, but a large part of their functioning remains unknown.
What can we say about artists, really?
Masthead Source: hypeorlando.com,