In the province of Antalya, near the Church of St. Nicholas, archaeologists made a surprising discovery that may shed light on the burial place of a famous early Christian saint. During the excavation, the researchers found a limestone sarcophagus located at a depth of about two meters. As writes Heritage Daily, its features and location suggest a possible connection with the burial of Saint Nicholas, who served as bishop in the city of Myra in Asia Minor.
Saint Nicholas, known for his generosity and miracle-working, lived and served in the city of Mira (modern Demre) in the 4th century. His good deeds and miracles inspired the creation of the image of Santa Claus, which became a symbol of the Christmas celebration. After the death of Nicholas, the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II ordered the construction of a church at the place of his service. It became an important spiritual center where the relics of the saint were worshipped.
In the 11th century, during the First Crusade, the relics of Saint Nicholas were transported to Italy. Some of them are kept in the Basilica of San Nicola in Bari, others in Venice. However, the original burial place of the saint still remained uncertain.
In 1953, scientists examined the bones from Bari and Venice, proving that they belonged to the same person. But it was not possible to confirm that these are the remains of St. Nicholas.
A recent study led by Associate Professor Ebru Fatma Findik of Mustafa Kemal University focused on a two-story addition to the Church of Saint Nicholas in Antalya. It was here at a depth of two meters that a limestone sarcophagus was found, the lid of which has the shape of a sloping roof.
At the moment, archaeologists managed to see only a part of the burial chamber. Researchers hope that further excavations will reveal more details about its contents. Professor Findik said that the most important goal is to identify the inscriptions on the sarcophagus, which could clarify its dating and confirm whether it belongs to Saint Nicholas.
The proximity of the sarcophagus to the church built in honor of the saint strengthens the assumption that this place could be his original burial place. If confirmed, the find will be key to the study of early Christian burial traditions and will provide new information about the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas.
This find will also help to clarify the historical information about the commemoration of his memory. The discovery of the sarcophagus gives archaeologists the opportunity to more accurately reconstruct the history of the early Christian world and confirm the authenticity of the traditions associated with the figure of Saint Nicholas.
A team of archaeologists is already planning additional research into the burial chamber, which may provide answers to many questions. Scientists are optimistic that the results will allow detailed investigation of the contents of the sarcophagus and, possibly, determine the true burial place of St. Nicholas.
Confirming the authenticity of this find will be an important achievement for archeology and history, and will also allow a deeper understanding of the traditions of Christian culture at that time.
