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These prehistoric bones are believed to be the remains of Catholic martyrs found in the Roman Catacombs. The corpses are covered with priceless ancient treasures and are a terrifying sight.
Amazingly, some of the supposed remains of early Christian martyrs have even been found hidden in safes and containers.
Paul Kudunaris, in his book Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs, provides a stunning visual history of the worship of jeweled and painted skeletons in European churches and monasteries.
“Das has never looked so beautiful. One of the most well-documented artifacts depicted in The Celestial Bodies is an elaborate work of silk brocade and gold lace. A fully articulated skeleton of a female saint in a rich robe, her withered fingers gleaming with bright rubies, emeralds and pearls.
The Labyrinth of the Roman Catacombs was discovered in 1578 and is the site of thousands of early Christian martyrs. It is believed that the corpse was buried there.
After the Protestant Reformation, the skeletons of these purported saints were brought into Catholic churches and other places of worship in German-speaking Europe to replace the lost relics. The “Saints of the Catacombs” have been painstakingly reassembled in skeleton and lavishly adorned with magnificent and fantastical costumes, wigs, crowns, jewels and armor to remind their followers of the heavenly treasures that await them after death. In the 19th century, it was displayed in elaborate exhibits in churches and shrines.
Long “e”: St. Munditia’s hand in St. Peter’s Basilica in Munich and St. Valentine’s hand in Bad Schussenreid (right).
Paul Kudunaris was able to uncover these remarkable historical relics by gaining unprecedented access to religious bodies. He says the bones are now worth almost nothing.
Some of these ornate bones have been hidden for over a century as Western attitudes toward worship of sacred objects and Christianity itself have changed, but are now on display for the first time.
“As soon as they were found in the Roman Catacombs, the Vatican authorities signed a document declaring them martyrs, packed the bones in a box and transported them north.
Then the nuns
By order of the Vatican, thousands of bodies were removed from the Roman Catacombs in the 16th century and buried in cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
These were considered martyrs and could not be dealt with by anyone. They had to be treated by someone who made a sacred promise to the church.
They were made saints in local communities and served as symbols of the Trinity religion.
They were important for various social reasons, in addition to their spiritual value, which is at best dubious.
These were seen as miracles and greatly strengthened the bond between residents and communities. This increased the city’s reputation.
