The remains of proto-Santa may have been found. An intact tomb has been found beneath the Church of Saint Nicholas in Demre, a popular site for pilgrimages due to the belief it is the final resting place of the Christmas phantom.
Via BBC:
An intact tomb has been found underneath Saint Nicholas Church, in the Demre district of Turkey's south-west province of Antalya.
Demre was built on the ruins of Myra, where St Nicholas was thought to have lived in the 4th Century.
Until now, the bones of St Nicholas were believed to be in Bari, Italy.
It had been thought they were taken by Italian merchants in 1087 when Myra – at the time a Greek town – was invaded by the Seljuk Turks.By then St Nicholas was already revered among Christians for his generosity, in particular to children, and his humility.
The church of St Nicholas in Demre is a popular destination for pilgrims as the site of St Nicholas's final resting place, and archaeological excavations have been taking place there for 20 years.
