Heavenly Bodies

In 1578, a labyrinth of underground burials was discovered in Rome, containing the remains of thousands of individuals assumed to be early Christian martyrs. The bones were disinterred and sent to many Catholic churches and religious houses in German-speaking Europe to replace holy relics destroyed during the Protestant Reformation.

Reassembled by skilled artisans, encrusted with gold and jewels, and richly dressed in fantastic costumes, the skeletons were displayed in elaborate public shrines as reminders of the spiritual treasures awaiting the faithful after death. For nearly three centuries, these Heavenly Bodies were venerated as miracle-workers and protectors of their communities, until doubts about their authenticity surfaced in the modern era. They then became a source of embarrassment for the Church, and most were destroyed or hidden away.

Critically acclaimed author and photographer Paul Koudounaris brings the catacomb saints out of the darkness with this astonishing volume, including arresting images of more than seventy spectacular jewelled skeletons and the fascinating stories of dozens more. This is the first time some of these incredible relics—both intriguing historical artefacts and masterpieces of artistic craftsmanship in their own right—have appeared in a publication, with Koudounaris gaining unprecedented access to photograph in some of the most secretive religious establishments in Europe.

Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is a tour de force of original cultural history, with deepest resonances for a modern audience fascinated by visual representations of death.