According to archaeologists in southern Turkey, the tomb of the original Santa Claus was discovered in the Mediterranean Sea beneath his namesake church. Known for his generosity and gift-giving special trait, a beloved man believed to be fictional was real. His name was Saint Nicholas of Myra. Some say that anyone who left their shoe out for him on his feast day, Dec 6, found coins in their shoe.

It is believed that he was a monk who gave away his rich inheritance to help the poor and needy. He was especially fond of children and bought them surprise presents. In the 16th century, he gained his popular candy-cane form in his representation in print and imaginations. In Europe, people called him Father Christmas.

He left for America with the Dutch who affectionately called him “Sinterklass” and got together each year on his death anniversary. The American image of Santa Claus was cemented in the minds of everybody by writer Clement Clarke with his poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. Now Saint Nicholas is a popular figure in every home as Santa Clause. Some believe he is real, and some still speculate whether he is real or just fiction.

According to the Telegraph, he was interred at St. Nicholas church in Demre where he died in 343 AD. However, in 1087, allegedly some merchants dug up his bones and illegally transported them to Bari in Italy. To this date, the site was visited by many Christians and is revered holy.

Interestingly, archaeologists claim that it’s not the right guy these pilgrims are worshipping. These bones belong to a local priest and not the famous Santa Claus. Archaeologists found the shrine while conducting surveys and said that it is underneath the church and untouched.

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