UNBELIEVABLE SKELETONS UNEARTHED FROM THE CATACOMBS OF ROME

UNBELIEVABLE SKELETONS UNEARTHED FROM THE CATACOMBS OF ROME



Heavenly Bodies Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs By Paul Koudounaris

Back in 1578 came the fascinating discovery of a network of labyrinthine tombs, lurking deep beneath the street of Rome. The tombs were home to the decayed skeletons of early Christian martyrs – believed to be saints on account of their bravery & unwavering support of Christian beliefs.

Many of these skeletons (given the name ‘The Catacomb Saints’ by those who first discovered them) were then distributed across Europe (predominantly Germany) as replacements for the countless holy relics which had been smashed, stolen or destroyed during the Protestant Reformation.

Once delivered, each skeleton was then clothed and adorned into a variety of precious jewels, expensive cloth, crowns, armour and even given wigs. They were put on display inside their designated churches as a reminder to all who visited, for the riches and wealth that awaited them post death – providing they swore allegiance to the Christian faith.

It sounds like a tale straight from a Dan Brown novel doesn't it? Yet it’s all factually accurate.

So fascinated by the discovery and indeed the story behind ‘The Catacomb Saints’ art historian (& self-confessed relic hunter) Paul Koudounaris travelled all over Europe trying to find and document the status of each Saint. Amazingly many of the skeletons were yet to be put on display, still stored in containers waiting to be dressed and revealed to the public.

His book 'Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs' looks at the gripping origins and history of ‘The Catacomb Saints’, posing such as questions as who were they? How exactly did they die? Who ordered them to be placed in the catacombs? And why had they laid forgotten in Europe’s religious institutions for so long?

His work serves as a compelling documentation of some of the most elaborate & forgotten relics from a by-gone era.

Below are a few photographs from the stunning book itself, which you can purchase right here








Source
http://sobadsogood.com/2013/09/08/heavenly-bodies-cult-treasures-and-spectacular-saints-from-the-catacombs-by-paul-koudounaris/

There are some really bizarro things about the Catholic Church lol.

Those gems are glass apparently.

Spiral wrote:There are some really bizarro things about the Catholic Church lol.

Those gems are glass apparently.

I'm not so certain about that given the skills of glassblowing / making back then, then it would be less tempting to steal saying it was glass also it could be a dummy replica done at a later date, as the gems may have already been stolen.

We have been making glass for thousands of years, and clear glass since 100 AD

From our earliest origins, man has been making use of glass. Historians have discovered that a form of natural glass - obsidian - formed for instance, within the mouth of a volcano as a result of the intense heat of an eruption melting sand - was first used by man as tips for spears.

Archaeologists have found evidence of man-made glass which dates back to 4000 BC; this took the form of glazes used for coating stone beads. It was not until 1500 BC that the first hollow glass container was made by covering a sand core with a layer of molten glass.

Glass blowing became the most common way to make glass containers from the First Century BC. However, the glass made during this time was highly coloured due to the impurities of the raw material. It was not until the First Century AD when colourless glass was produced and then coloured by the addition of colouring materials.

The secret of glass making came to Britain with the Romans. However, the skills and technology required to make glass were closely guarded by the Romans and it was not until the Roman Empire disintegrated that skills for glass making spread throughout Europe and the Middle East.

The Venetians, in particular, gained a reputation for technical skill and artistic ability in the making of glass bottles and a fair number of the city's craftsmen left Italy to set up glassworks throughout Europe.

In Britain, there is evidence of a glass industry around Jarrow and Wearmouth dating back to 680 AD, while from the 13th Century, there is evidence of there having been a glass industry in the Weald and the afforested area of Surrey and Sussex around Chiddingford.



http://www.britglass.org.uk/history-of-glass

I am aware there was glass making but the quality clarity and colours make me question what I'm seeing with regards to dates.

Old glass has imperfections, picture illustrates.
http://www.bristol-glass.co.uk/history.html