Lost tomb of St. Nicholas? Carbon testing in Türkiye may confirm Santa’s burial site
Excavation work on the sarcophagus found at St. Nicholas Church, Demre, Antalya, Türkiye, December 6, 2024. (AA Photo)
A recently unearthed limestone sarcophagus in the ancient city of Demre, Antalya, Türkiye, may hold the remains of Saint Nicholas of Myra — the fourth-century bishop who inspired the legend of Santa Claus.
The discovery, made beneath the historic St. Nicholas Church, has ignited global interest, and carbon testing is underway to determine whether this could indeed be the saint’s long-lost final resting place.
Breakthrough in search of St. Nicholas’ tomb
Archaeological work at St. Nicholas Church has been ongoing since 1989, but the latest find is being described as the most compelling discovery yet. Hidden beneath a two-story annex of the church, the limestone sarcophagus was uncovered six meters deep, buried beneath centuries of history.
Associate Professor Ebru Fatma Findik of Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, who leads the excavation, confirmed that the sarcophagus measures approximately two meters in length and features a pitched roof-style lid consistent with regional designs of the era.
Before the sarcophagus was located, archaeologists discovered fragments of clay lamps and animal bones, strong indicators of a burial site.
Inscriptions could unlock ancient secrets
One of the excavation team’s top priorities now is to find inscriptions that could identify the individual buried inside.
“Our biggest hope is to find an inscription,” Findik said.
“It would allow us to understand the exact period and possibly confirm the identity of the person buried here.”
Currently, only a small part of the burial chamber has been exposed, but further excavation is planned over the coming months.
Carbon testing to confirm identity
Birol Incecikoz, Director General of Cultural Assets and Museums in Türkiye, told Hurriyet that scientific analysis will be key to confirming whether the sarcophagus belongs to Saint Nicholas.
“The location is promising and aligns with historical accounts,” Incecikoz explained. “We’re not yet at the point of declaring this as the tomb of Saint Nicholas, but we are getting closer. Carbon testing and other scientific procedures are being conducted to establish its authenticity.”
The lid of the sarcophagus matches the era in question, but only detailed examination will verify whether the bones inside belong to the saint who lived during the Roman Empire.
Why St. Nicholas matters: faith, folklore, and history
Saint Nicholas was born in the third century A.D. in Patara, a city within the Lycian civilization. He became Bishop of Myra (modern-day Demre), where he gained a reputation for secret acts of generosity, particularly helping poor girls with dowries, which became the foundation of the Santa Claus legend.
Nicholas passed away in 342 A.D., reportedly while imprisoned for spreading Christianity. In 1087, his bones were taken by Italian merchants to Bari, Italy, during the Crusades. However, some historical sources suggest parts of his remains may still lie in Türkiye.
A fragment of his bones is preserved in the Antalya Museum today.
From Anatolia to the North Pole
Saint Nicholas’ transformation into Santa Claus spanned centuries and continents. In medieval Europe, his legend merged with local folklore. The Dutch called him “Sint Nikolas,” which eventually evolved into “Santa Claus” after Dutch settlers brought the tradition to America.
The red-suited, bearded Santa popular today emerged in the 19th century, especially through illustrations by Thomas Nast and Coca-Cola advertisements drawn by Haddon Sundblom in the 1920s. The concept of reindeer and sleigh may even trace back to Norse myths about Odin.
UNESCO-listed church and a major faith tourism site
The St. Nicholas Church in Demre was added to UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List in 2000 and is one of Türkiye’s most visited spiritual landmarks, attracting thousands of tourists each year, especially from Russia.
As researchers await carbon dating results and further excavations, the world watches closely for confirmation of what could be the true tomb of the man behind Santa Claus.
