This remarkable photograph from 1973 captures the Les Halles excavation in Paris, showcasing an architectural history concealed under the bustling city streets. The buildings appear to float above a deep five-story void, supported by reinforced frameworks, while the Fountain of the Innocents precariously hangs on scaffolding to the right. Below, remnants of structures that are centuries old, some exceeding 800 years, lie partially uncovered. But what motivated the decision to overlay these historical layers with new developments? Was it merely a step toward urban advancement, or an effort to erase traces of the past? Historians refer to this phenomenon as the “culture layer,” and with each dig, more forgotten structures come to light—prompting inquiries about what additional history remains concealed and the reasons behind it.