St Nicholas, the inspiration behind Father Christmas and known for his extreme generosity, passed away in 343AD
A group of ecstatic archaeologists have discovered the official resting place of St Nicholas, the man who was the inspiration behind the worldwide renowned figure of Santa Claus. The Christian bishop's tomb was uncovered amongst the ruins of a prehistoric Christian Orthodox Church in Myra, Turkey that was destroyed in the Middle Ages after it was flooded by rising Mediterranean sea levels.
An additional church was built between the 5th and 12th centuries on top of the initial basilica in the Turkish town to further preserve St Nicholas' tomb which was located by thrilled archaeologists who found bits of authentic mosaic and stone flooring from the primary sanctuary. Speaking to the Demiroren News Agency, Osman Eravsar, the head of the provincial cultural heritage preservation board in Antalya, said: "The tiling of the floor of the first church, on which Saint Nicholas walked, has been unearthed."
Records have always suggested that the saint was buried at the church built in his name, although it was also believed that his remains were smuggled to Bari in Italy by sailors or merchants in 1087.
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