Archaeologists discover tomb of 'Santa Claus' hidden underneath a church in Turkey

A group of archaeologists claimed that they found the tomb of the man who inspired Santa Claus underneath a church in Turkey.

Although nowadays he is the man in the red suit who lives in the North Pole, Saint Nicholas - a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop - is who the world drew inspiration from when creating him.

He was known for giving generously to the poor - and even helping make miracles happen - which is where the idea of giving presents at Christmas comes from.

But now, it seems like his tomb has been found under a church in Turkey - some, 5,300 miles away from the North Pole.

Experts claimed that his resting place was located in the ruins of an ancient Christian Orthodox church in Turkey.

Scientists believe the grave was submerged by rising Mediterranean sea levels in the Middle Ages.

Saint Nicholas was known for giving gifts to the poor (Copyright unknown)

It is believed that a church was built on top of a huge building in the town of Myra between the 5th and 12th centuries to protect St Nicholas' tomb.

But earlier this month, the grave was located after the archaeologists found mosaic and stone flooring from the original sanctuary.

This appeared to support claims that the holy figure lived and died in Turkey - which was then part of the Roman Empire.

Experts believe they've found the Saint's final resting place (Antalya DHA)

Osman Eravsar, the head of the provincial cultural heritage preservation board in Antalya, told Demirören News Agency last week: "The first church was submerged with the rise of the Mediterranean Sea, and some centuries later, a new church was built above.

"Now we have reached the remains of the first church and the floor on which Saint Nicholas stepped. 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.

The first church was submerged with the rise of the Mediterranean Sea (Antalya DHA)

But other reports suggest his remains were smuggled to Bari in Italy by sailors nearly 1,000 years ago.

Archaeologists have been working at the UNESCO World Heritage Site for years, carefully removing flooring of the St Nicholas church.

The original foundation was discovered in 2017 when researchers found gaps under the floor of the church using electronic surveys.

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