The state of death was an imitation of art.
Archaeologists may have found the remains of Charles de Batz de Castelmore d’Artagnan in a church in the Netherlands, near where the famous French knight – made famous in the Three Musketeers novels – died more than three centuries ago during a bloody siege.
“This has truly become an investigation of the highest level, as we want to be absolutely sure – or as much as possible – whether he was the famous knight,” said archaeologist Wim Dieckmann. Reuters.
For each local port L1 NewsWorkers have discovered a grave with a skeleton under the tiles after the floor of the Church of St Peter and Paul in Maastricht, long rumored to be the resting place of a 17th-century French soldier, partially collapsed.
Archaeologists have scanned DNA from the jawbone and are currently analyzing it against d’Artagnan’s descendants to find out if it is really him.
The historical figure was immortalized in Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 epic The Three Musketeers as the trusted confidant of the French “Sun King” Louis XIV, before eventually becoming the fourth member of the haughty triumvirate.
He has appeared in numerous film adaptations since then and is commemorated in numerous statues, including one in Maastricht.
The real-life d’Artagnan died on June 25, 1673 after being wounded by a musket ball during the French siege of Maastricht in the Franco-Dutch War.
Since then, the famous swordsman’s final resting place has remained elusive to archaeologists ever since.
However, scholars believe there is several pieces of evidence to suggest that this is where a Gascon nobleman was buried, including a French coin found near the remains in Maastricht and the location of the site itself.
“The location of the grave indicates that he was an important person,” said Deacon Jose Valque, who was there to exhume the body. “The skeleton was found where the altar used to be, and only kings or other important figures were buried under the altar at that time.”
He also pointed out that “the bullet that killed him was at chest level,” exactly as his death was described in history books.
However, Dickman, who has been searching for the missing jockey for 28 years, says he remains “cautious” about announcing his find despite having “high expectations”.
It is believed more will be revealed when DNA tests are completed in a few weeks.
“It has truly become an investigation of the highest level,” he added. “We want to be absolutely sure that it is d’Artagnan.”