A sarcophagus has been discovered under St. Nicholas Church in Demre, Turkey by a group of archaeologists who are hoping to connect it to Saint Nicholas himself, the inspiration behind Santa Claus. The church, which dates back to 520 A.D., is believed to have been built on or near the burial site of St. Nicholas, who was the Bishop of Myra and passed away in 343 A.D. in what is now known as Demre, Turkey.
The sarcophagus, measuring 6.5 feet in length and made of local limestone, was found in the church’s two-story annex. The excavation is part of the Legacy for the Future Project led by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The sarcophagus features a raised lid and pitched roof, consistent with others found in the region. Expert Fatma Findik from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, who is heading the excavation, hopes to find an inscription on the sarcophagus to determine its contents and the time period it belongs to.
Excavations have been ongoing at the church since 1989, uncovering various artifacts, but the recent discovery of the sarcophagus has sparked new excitement. The lid and a small section of the burial chamber have been revealed so far, but crews are still deep in the excavation process and unsure if an inscription will be found.
St. Nicholas, known for his generosity during his lifetime, became the legendary figure of Santa Claus after his death. The Dutch celebration of St. Nicholas’ feast day on December 6 eventually transformed into the Christmas tradition of gift-giving by Santa Claus. Scholars are eagerly awaiting news about the sarcophagus, hoping it will provide answers about St. Nicholas’ burial and shed light on the history of Myra.
The discovery of a sarcophagus near the church, believed to hold the tomb of St. Nicholas, suggests that we may have located the sacred site we’ve been seeking. This archaeological finding provides substantial confirmation of historical records pertaining to the Saint’s burial place.
