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Joan and Bones, A French Shocker
Everyone knows the history. How Joan of Arc fought the invading English and won. She was burned alive for heresy and witchcraft in 1431. In 1867, Joan’s remains were discovered by a student, in the attic of a Paris Pharmacy. How did they know back then that these were the remains of Joan of Arc? Well, the Church said that the relics were authentic. All bets were off the alter after that. To ask how the church came to that holy conclusion would be heresy, so we’ll let that go for now, lest you want to be burned at the stake.
Now here is a true story. A year ago, Philippe Charlier, a respected forensic scientist at the Raymond Poincar Hospital in Garches near Paris set to work on the one piece of rib and a few tissue like remains that were allegedly the remains of St. Joan of Arc.
Recently, he published his findings. Carbon 14 analysis stated conclusively that the rib dated somewhere between the 7th and 3rd century B.C. More testing determined that the rib was from an Egyptian Mummy. The tissue like relics were found to be that of a small cat and scraps of wood. Pollen testing proved that the tree was Pine, and that particular kind of tree did not exist in medieval Normandy. The resin from this tree was widely used to embalm bodies in ancient Egypt.The cat, tests proved, “was of non-European heritage.” Carbon dating, infra red analysis and DNA tests all showed that the relics were fake.Philippe Charlier categorically stated, “As for the relics of Saint Joan of Arc, our tests give conclusive proof that these aren’t her remains.”
Now here is the kicker. Anne-Marie Salichon, former museum Director where the relics have been displayed said, “Some people did think they were genuine, but I knew all along they were fake.” For years, the French have been venerating an Egyptian Mummy, a Cat and Scraps of Wood, thinking that it was their beloved Saint Joan of Arc.Question: So what happens to “the relics” now? Answer: E-bay.
Comment by Suresh Naik
Posted on April 27, 2007 at 1:26 pm
This whole idea of venerating bones and remains of people stinks of paganism. So the bones are not those of Joan of Arc. So what? When you die, you die. End of story. But it’s funny that the remains were that of a cat. I mean, come on. So let’s drink some French wine, eat some good Swiss cheese and toast Joan. I wonder if the French are laughing. Probably not. It’s a great story though. Thanks for sharing. The next time I meet a person from France, I’m going to ask them about the bones. Let’s see if they laugh. Will keep you posted.