Uncertainty surrounds discovery of skeleton possibly belonging to d'Artagnan

The identity of a skeleton unearthed beneath a church in Maastricht remains uncertain, leaving open the question of whether it is the legendary French musketeer Charles de Batz de Castelmore, known as d'Artagnan.

City officials announced Thursday that the precise origin of the skeleton and the circumstances of its death are still unclear. While research has not entirely ruled out the possibility that the remains belong to d'Artagnan, "surprising elements" have emerged that point toward a different conclusion. The skeleton belongs to a man aged between 44 and 66, which fits d'Artagnan's age at his death (62). However, precise dating of the bones to determine the time of death has proven impossible.

Further complicating the identification is a dietary analysis. The findings indicate the man consumed a diet rich in fish, a pattern more characteristic of Eastern or Southern Europe than Gascony, d'Artagnan's southwestern French homeland. This raises questions about whether such a diet was common among French Catholic musketeers in the 17th century.

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For now, the true origin of the skeleton and the circumstances of death remain unclear. Further research could show whether an important piece of history has indeed been discovered – or not.

The investigation faced significant hurdles due to the actions of a retired archaeologist who began excavating the grave without proper permits. This unauthorized work, according to researchers, resulted in the irreversible loss of valuable information and potentially damaged the skeleton's skull. The archaeologist reportedly kept some bones in his garden shed, returning them only after police intervention. A professional team took over the excavation on March 13th.

D'Artagnan, a historical figure immortalized in Alexandre Dumas's 1844 novel "The Three Musketeers," died during the French siege of Maastricht on June 25, 1673. While the church could be his final resting place, researchers note he might also have been buried in a mass grave. Further research, including ancient DNA analysis, is needed to determine if the skeleton's identification is even possible.

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This raises the question of whether such a diet was common among French Catholic musketeers in the 17th century.