In the Netherlands, the remains of D'Artagnan were found under the collapsed floor of the church

In a church near the Dutch city of Maastricht, archaeologists have discovered skeletonized remains that allegedly belong to Charles de Batz de Castelmor is the prototype of a character in the novels of Alexandre Dumas. This is reported by the portal nos.nl .

D'Artagnan, the leader of the elite corps of the guards of King Louis XIV, died in battle in 1673 during the French siege of Maastricht, probably from a wound in the chest from a musket.

According to the theory of the French historian Odile Bordaz, d'Artagnan could have been buried "quickly, as was customary during the war," in a church adjacent to a French military camp not far from Maastricht.

The burial was not registered in the church archives, and no other evidence was found. But in February, the floor of the church collapsed, exposing a skeleton with a fragment of a musket bullet at chest level and French coins.

"The skeleton was found where the altar used to be. Only members of the royal family or other dignitaries were buried there," said church deacon Jos Valke.

DNA analysis is currently being carried out, the material of the skeleton teeth is being compared with the material of a descendant of the de Batz family.

A monument to d'Artagnan has been erected in Maastricht as a symbol of "courage and friendship".