Jeweled Skeletons

The jeweled skeletons were originally found in catacombs beneath Rome in 1578, and distributed as replacements under the belief they were Christian martyrs to churches who had lost their saint relics in the Reformation.

Most of the skeleton’s identities were unknown. The  churches spent years covering the revered skeletal strangers with jewels and golden clothing, even filling their eye sockets and sometimes adorning their teeth with jewels. The skeletons were ultimately hidden away during the enlightenment because they represented excess and the churches were embarrassed about how much money was spent on them.

Photos by: Paul Koudounaris