Turkish archaeologists find tomb believed to be Santa Claus'

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Scientists may have found the original tomb of Santa Claus in Turkey.

Hurriyet Daily News reports that archaeologists have found an intact shrine underneath the Demre church in Turkey's Antalya province, and suspect it to be the final resting place of St. Nicholas.

The area where the church is located is reportedly the same region where St. Nick was born during the 4th century. It was there that the jolly saint formed the reputation for gift-giving that eventually gave rise to the legend of Santa Claus.

After his death in 343 AD, the saint was interred in the church, and lay undisturbed until the 11th century.

It's widely believed that Italian sailors then took his remains in 1087 and transported them to Bari, where they lie to this day in the Basilica di San Nicola.

According to documents obtained by the Turkish archaeologists, however, the remains that were taken supposedly belonged to a local priest.

Though many are skeptical, the Turkish team is determined to prove their theory right, and will soon begin the arduous task of removing an intricate mosaic tile by tile in order to get to the untouched tomb.

RUNDOWN SHOWS:
1. Shrine found under Demre church
2. St. Nicholas originally interred under Demre church
3. Remains taken to Bari, Italy in 1087
4. Bari remains possibly local priest's

VOICEOVER (in English):

"Archaeologists have found an intact shrine underneath the Demre church in Turkey's Antalya province, and suspect it to be the final resting place of St. Nicholas."

"After his death in 343 AD, the saint was interred in the church, and lay undisturbed until the 11th century."

"It's widely believed that Italian sailors then took his remains in 1087 and transported them to Bari, where they lie to this day in the Basilica di San Nicola."

"According to documents obtained by the Turkish archaeologists, however, the remains that were taken supposedly belonged to a local priest."

SOURCES:
Hurriyet Daily News, National Geographic

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