14 DAY TRIAL // An art historian has published a book containing photos and information about jewel-encrusted skeletons found all over the world.
Apparently, the odd sight above reveals a religious martyr's body dating back to over 400 years ago. Paul Koudounaris found dozens of such skeletons in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
According to his findings, conveyed by the Daily Mail, they were originally recovered from Roman catacombs in the 16th century and scattered all over the world by the Vatican.
The LA-based historian adds that nuns were the ones to place jewels, gold and silver on top of the human remains after their discovery and sanctification.
“They were thought to be miraculous and really solidified people's bond with a town. This reaffirmed the prestige of the town itself,” Koudounaris describes.
His book, “Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs,” has been published by Thames and Hudson.