bones in Santiago

[Kathy Gower]

Thank you...I was remembering some similarities between Santiago cathedral and that of Notre Dame des Chartres...specifically the water courses that were under the ancient structures.  Notre Dame doe not have any bodies interred on the grounds and now it seems that Santiago actualy has a few different "bodies".

I guess that would make sense if the place was the "compost ground" rather than the place of the stars...

I appreciate the prompt response,
k

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: "fkjaer" <fkjaerapost7.tele.dk>
Reply-To: "fkjaer" <fkjaerapost7.tele.dk>
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 20:51:50 +0100

>> A simple, sincere question...are the "bones" of St. James the only bones buried in the cathedral grounds at Santiago?
>>
>> thanks,
>> Kathy
>
>Hi, Kathy.
>
>I'm no expert on the subject. can only quote from Stage 31 "Arzúa - Santiago de Compostela" of Millán Bravo Lozanos "The Pilgrims' Road to Santiago - A Practical Guide for Pilgrims" in which there is a picture of a skeleton in a sarcophagus and a text "Human remains in the crypt at Santiago cathedral".
>
>Among other, the chapter says "(...) the High Altar, beneath which is the crypt housing the relics of St. James. Excavations were carried out in 1878, 1946 and 1959, during which an area of 750 m2 under the nave was explored which, under special circumstances, can be visited. The excavations brought to light some interesting data. The Apostle's tom, discovered between 820 and 830, was a small stone mausoleum situated in a necropolis that had been in use from the 1st century B.C. until the end of the 6th century A.D., which leads to the conclusion that the story regarding St. James being buried in Santiago has an archaeological and historical basis, far removed from the tales of miracles and mystical visions traditionally associated with it. (...) you descend to the crypt where the relics of St. James and his two disciples, Theodore and Athanisus, are enshrined in a silver coffer (...)"
>
>Hope this answers your question.
>
>¡ Ultreya !
>
>Frans.