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Thursday, December 12, 2024

Has Santa's coffin been found?

'TIS THE SEASON: Just in time for Christmas? Sarcophagus possibly belonging to Saint Nicholas discovered in Turkey. Archaeologists assume the sarcophagus was covered by a layer of gravel and sand brought by a flood or tsunami (Jerusalem Post). HT Rogue Classicism.
Archaeologists in Turkey uncovered a limestone sarcophagus in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Demre, Antalya, which they believe could be linked to Saint Nicholas himself, known worldwide as Santa Claus.

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If it is the sarcophagus of the historical Saint Nicholas, it will presumably be empty. Most of St. Nick's bones were nicked (or preemptively saved from the Seljuks, depending on your perspective) in 1087 and are now in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy. The rest were reportedly taken by the Venetians in 1100 and are now in the Monastery of San Nicolò al Lido.

Saint Nicholas Day was 6 December. For more on the historical man, a late-antique bishop in Anatolia, start with the links collected here and keep following them back.

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