Incredible finds in secret vaults are uncovered by historian dubbed ‘Indiana Bones'
Amazing photos have emerged showing what are thought to be the remains of Catholic saints buried across Europe.
The bodies were among thousands removed from the catacombs of Rome in the 16th century at the order of the Vatican, and sent to towns in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
There they were decorated with gold, silver and gems in a process that, in some instances, took up to five years.
The above image shows St Valerius in Weyarn, Germany.
St Albertus, Burgrain, Germany
The martyrs were named as saints (though didn’t strictly qualify for the title under the rules of the Catholic Church) and were intended to act as a replacement for relics stolen in the Protestant Reformation.
St Benedictus, Munich, Germany
As a result, they were seen as symbols of the resurgent Catholic Church in previously Protestant areas.
St Valentinus, Waldsassen, Germany
The skeletons were sought out and photographed by relic hunter Paul Koudounaris – dubbed ‘Indiana Bones’ – who has spent years tracking them down in churches across Europe.
St Felix, Sursee, Switzerland
The images will appear in his book, Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs.
St Deodatus, Rheinau, Switzerland
“One of the reasons they were so important was not for their spiritual merit, which was pretty dubious, but for their social importance,” Koudounaris said of the relics, in the Mail Online.
“They were thought to be miraculous and really solidified people's bond with a town. This reaffirmed the prestige of the town itself.”
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