Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome "Heavenly Bodies," published by Thames & Hudson, reveals ancient jewel-encrusted skeletons found and photographed across Europe by historian Paul Koudounaris. In this photo, St. Albertus' remains from the Roman Catacombs in 1723, are shown. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome St. Vincentus' ribs are exposed beneath a web of golden leaves, in Stams, Austria. The hand raised to cover the face is a gesture of modesty. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome St. Friedrich at the Benedictine abbey in Melk, Austria, is presented in a typical reclining pose and holds laurel branch as a sign of victory. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome Records concerning the decoration of St. Valerius in Weyarn, Germany, are incomplete, but similarities in technique with the relic of Albertus in Burgrain, Germany, suggest that there may be a connection between the two. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome The relic of St. Deodatus in Rheinau, Switzerland, is an example of an unusual reconstruction technique in which a wax face was moulded over the upper half of the skull and a fabric wrap used to create a mouth. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome Detail of the hand of St. Valentin in Bad Schussenreid, Germany, one of a number of Katakombenheiligen named for the popular Italian saint. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome This St. Benedictus was received by the church of St Michael in Munich, Germany, even though it was not a Benedictine foundation but a court for Clemens August I of Bavaria. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome In addition to its four complete skeletons, the church in Roggenburg, Germany, owns a pair of skull relics. This one was given the generic name of Deodatus as its identity was unknown. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome St. Luciana arrived at the convent in Heiligkreuztal, Germany, in the mid-18th century and was prepared for display by the nuns in Ennetach. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome St. Felix, pictured here, arrived in Sursee, Switzerland, in 1761, and was decorated to match St. Irenaus, brought over a century before by Johann Rudolf Pfyffer of the papal Swiss Guard. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome The skull of St. Getreu in Ursberg, Germany, is covered in silk mesh and fine wirework set with gemstones, which may have been done in Mindelheim, Germany. Paul Koudounaris

Unbelievable Skeletons Unearthed From The Catacombs Of Rome Decorated by the skilled lay brother Adalbart Eder, St. Valentinus in Waldsassen wears a biretta and an elaborate, elegantly jewelled version of a deacon's cassock to emphasize his ecclesiastical status. Paul Koudounaris