Sarcophagus find may uncover true burial site of Santa's legend
Archaeologists have discovered a sarcophagus in the Church of St Nicholas in Demre, Antalya, Turkey. This find could be a breakthrough in the research concerning the burial place of the bishop of the city of Myra, the inspiration for the modern image of Santa Claus.
The discovery was made in a two-storey annex of the Church of St Nicholas, which has been the subject of intensive archaeological research for years. According to *Turkiye Today*, excavation work has been ongoing there since 1989, aimed at exploring the history of one of the most important monuments in the region. The sarcophagus, made of local limestone, was found approximately 1.5 to 2 metres below the ground and is nearly 2 metres long. Its design, featuring a convex lid and sloping roof, resembles the typical sarcophagi that were once constructed in this area.
Archaeologists made a valuable discovery
Dr habil. Ebru Fatma Findik from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, who leads the excavation work under the "Heritage for the Future" project by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, emphasizes the exceptional significance of the find. Animal bones and fragments of clay lamps were found near the sarcophagus, indicating that the area was used as a burial site.
"Our main goal is to find an inscription on the sarcophagus that would help accurately date the find and identify the person buried inside," Findik noted. Currently, only a fragment of the burial chamber has been uncovered, and further work is expected to provide more details.
Is this the tomb of St Nicholas?
According to Turkiye Today, the find may be crucial for understanding the burial place of St Nicholas, also known as the bishop of the city of Myra. Historical sources suggest that he may have been buried near the "holy area" of Myra. The proximity of the sarcophagus to the Church of St Nicholas supports this theory. Since 2000, this church has been on the UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage Sites.
"The fact that we found the sarcophagus so close to the church, which has long been associated with his burial site, may confirm the theory about the location of this holy area," Findik stated.
The Bishop of Myra, also known as Nicholas of Myra or Nicholas the Wonderworker, lived at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries (around 270–343 AD) and was a bishop in the city of Myra (now Demre in Turkey). He is one of the most revered Christian figures, particularly in the Orthodox and Catholic traditions. He gained fame as a man full of compassion, generosity, and faith.
Saint Nicholas was known for helping the poor and needy, often anonymously. Many legends have arisen around his figure. He is also considered a miracle worker. Nicholas of Myra was said to have saved sailors during a storm and resurrected children. His relics are mostly preserved in Bari, Italy, where they were transferred in the 11th century.
