Saint Nicholas' tomb has been claimed to have been found under a Turkish church.
Saint Nicholas' tomb is thought to have been found in Turkey
Archaeologists uncovered a six-foot-long sarcophagus, which had a raised lid and a pitched roof, within a two-story structure buried at St. Nicholas Church in the ancient city of Myra - now Demre, Antalya Province - where he was originally buried.
The bishop is thought to have lived between 270 and 343 AD and is said to have given money away to the poor - including to three girls to help them escape from a career in prostitution.
The stories of his generosity influenced Santa Claus.
His body was reportedly moved and became a relic in the Basilica di San Nicola church in Bari, Italy.
Ebru Fatma Findik, associate professor at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, said: "The fact that we have found a sarcophagus near the church, which is thought to house his tomb, may indicate that this is the sacred area we have been searching for.
"Currently, we can see the lid part of the sarcophagus and we have uncovered a small part of its trough. In the future, we will dig deeper and reveal it completely."