Dripping with gold and jewels

A relic hunter dubbed 'Indiana Bones' has lifted the lid on a macabre collection of 400-year-old jewel-encrusted skeletons unearthed in churches across Europe.

Art historian Paul Koudounaris has hunted down and photographed dozens of gruesome skeletons in some of the world's most secretive religious establishments.

Incredibly, some of the skeletons, which took up to five years to decorate, were even found hidden away in lock-ups and containers.

They are now the subject of his latest book, which sheds light on the forgotten ornamented relics for the first time. (BNPS)

 

 

 

 

 Dripping with gold and jewels - lid finally lifted on the incredible remains of the Catholic saints. St Valerius in Weyarn. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 St Friedrich at the Benedictine abbey in Melk, Austria. A relic hunter dubbed 'Indiana Bones' has lifted the lid on a macabre collection of 400-year-old jewel-encrusted skeletons unearthed in churches across Europe. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 St Munditia, in the church of St Peter in Munich. Art historian Paul Koudounaris has hunted down and photographed dozens of gruesome skeletons in some of the world's most secretive religious establishments. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Albertus in the church of St George in Burgrain, Germany. Incredibly, some of the skeletons, which took up to five years to decorate, were even found hidden away in lock-ups and containers. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

The hand of St Valentin in Bad Schussenreid, Germany. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

St Luciana arrived at the convent in Heiligkreuztal, Germany and was prepared for display by the nuns in Ennetach. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 St Felix, at Sursee, Switzerland. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

   

 

 This St Benedictus was received by the church of St Michael in Munich. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This skull relic was given the generic name of Deodatus as its identity was unknown. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 St Deodatus in Rheinau, Switzerland. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

   

 

St Getreu in Ursberg, Germany. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

St Valentinus in Waldsassen. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

 

 

St Vincentus’ ribs are exposed beneath a web of golden leaves’ In Stams, Austria. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)

 

 

 

 

 

They are now the subject of his latest book, which sheds light on the forgotten ornamented relics for the first time. (Paul Koudounaris/BNPS)