Have Medieval Archeologists Found Joan of Arc's Lost Remains? | Myth Hunters | Chronicle
Chronicle - Medieval History Documentaries・2 minutes read
Dr. Philip Shaler investigated a cold case involving St. Joan of Arc's bones, eventually revealing that the relics were actually from an ancient Egyptian mummy and not Joan of Arc, showcasing the manipulation of her reputation for political reasons in the late 19th century. Despite the forgery, Joan of Arc's courage and exceptional qualities continue to be celebrated, highlighting the enduring impact of her life story.
Insights
- Dr. Philip Shaler, renowned for his forensic expertise, attempted to solve the mystery of St. Joan of Arc's bones' authenticity using DNA analysis, CT scans, and chemical testing, ultimately concluding they were likely an Egyptian mummy, not the saint's remains.
- Joan of Arc's legacy endured despite the debunking of the relics, with various groups manipulating her image for political gain, leading to a cult around her after death and her eventual canonization based on false remains, highlighting the lasting impact of her courage and character beyond the relics' authenticity.
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Summary
00:00
"Lost and Found: St. Joan's Bones"
- St. Joan of Arc, France's famous patron saint, was burned at the stake, and her remains were lost until they resurfaced in 1867.
- Dr. Philip Shaler, a leading forensic pathologist in France, became intrigued by this mysterious cold case involving St. Joan of Arc's bones.
- Shaler, known as the "Indiana Jones of graveyards," had a passion for investigating historical mysteries through forensic analysis.
- Shaler's interest in myth hunting began in Pompeii at a young age, where he encountered human remains frozen in time by a volcanic eruption.
- In 2006, Shaler stumbled upon a box of bones believed to be those of St. Joan of Arc in a provincial Museum in Chinon, France.
- The bones were discovered in Paris in 1867 during a period of urban transformation, leading to speculation about their authenticity.
- Shaler faced challenges in analyzing the bones due to their fragmented state, but he aimed to use DNA analysis to confirm their identity.
- Despite attempts to extract DNA from the bones for comparison with living relatives, the analysis failed, leaving the case unresolved.
- Shaler then turned to a perfumer to use their sense of smell to detect any evidence of burning on the relics, leading to surprising results.
- Radiologists were called in to perform CT scans on the bone fragments to determine if there were signs of burning, providing crucial insights into the relics' authenticity.
22:17
"Relics debunked as Egyptian mummy forgery"
- Shaler compared relics with modern victims to check for signs of burning, focusing on cracks in bones above 70°C.
- 3D models were used to analyze relics and modern bones, revealing no signs of cremation on the relics.
- Jovar legend explained the difficulty in burning Jon of Arc's body, requiring three attempts due to high moisture content.
- Bones were found to be permeated by a mysterious dark substance, identified as resin from a Pine Tree.
- Toxicologist Dr. Joel Pon analyzed the resin covering relics, revealing high levels of iron and phosphorus indicating decay.
- Pon's experiment confirmed all relics were coated with the same resin, including a skin sample from an Egyptian mummy.
- Shaler sought to date relics using carbon 14 analysis, sending a fabric sample to textile historian Kristoff Mulera for analysis.
- Mulera found the fabric to be flax linen with a unique twist, possibly from the Middle East, suggesting a link to Egypt.
- A cat femur found in the relics was analyzed, indicating it was not from a European domestic cat but possibly from Egypt.
- Carbon dating revealed the relics were from late Antiquity, not matching Jon of Arc's timeline, leading to the conclusion that they were a forgery, likely an Egyptian mummy.
43:21
Joan of Arc: Symbol, Saint, and Legacy
- Joan of Arc's reputation was manipulated by different groups in the late 19th century, with Republicans and the Socialist Party viewing her as a symbol of triumph over church authority, while Catholic monarchists saw her as representing Catholic kingship. A cult developed around her after her death, leading to calls for her sainthood.
- A pharmacist presented remains claiming to be Joan of Arc's, which were later sent for safekeeping and eventually led to her canonization. However, further investigation revealed that the remains were actually those of an ancient Egyptian mummy, likely brought to France during the Napoleonic campaigns.
- Despite the revelation that the remains were not Joan of Arc's, the focus shifted to the importance of her life story and the enduring memory of her courage and exceptional qualities, emphasizing that the false relics did not diminish her unique and remarkable persona.
