Tomb raiders steal head of 800-year-old ‘crusader’ from crypt in Ireland
- Thieves desecrated Dublin burial chamber where mummified body thought to be of ancient Christian warrior is kept, as well as remains of a 400-year-old nun.
Tomb-raiding vandals have stolen the head of an 800-year-old mummified body known as the “Crusader” from a Dublin crypt, police and church officials said on Tuesday.
Several other mummies including the 400-year-old remains of a nun were also “desecrated” in the incident at St Michan’s Church, while the burial chamber itself was “badly damaged”, the Church of Ireland said.
“I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and desecrate the remains of those lying within it,” said Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson. “I would appeal to those responsible to examine their consciences and return the head of the Crusader to its rightful place.”
The Crusader is called so because he is believed to have perished during or soon after taking part in a campaign to capture the holy city of Jerusalem.
Because of his impressive height, the Crusader’s legs were broken and folded to fit his remains in a coffin in the St Michan’s crypt.
The church – founded in 1095 – is a popular tourist attraction in the Irish capital.