After centuries of debate about his existence, a team of researchers has likely identified the remains of Bishop Teodomiro of Iria Flavia, a key figure in the origins of the Camino de Santiago.

Teodomiro was the one who, according to historical sources, discovered the supposed tomb of the Apostle James in Santiago de Compostela between 820 and 830 AD. This catapulted the Galician city into becoming one of the main pilgrimage centers of medieval Christianity.

However, the very existence of Teodomiro had been questioned for centuries, until 1955, when a tombstone with his name was discovered beneath the floor of the Cathedral of Santiago. Alongside it, skeletal remains were found that were initially attributed to the bishop, but decades later were reassigned to an elderly woman.

Digitisation of the stratigraphic profile drawing by Chamoso Lamas (1957). A) south façade of the Basilica of Alfonso III; B) tombstone or lid of the sarcophagus of Bishop Teodomiro; C) base of the south façade of the Basilica of Alfonso III; D) first fragment of decorated bone plaque; E) second fragment of decorated bone plaque; F) rubble fill following the destruction of the Basilica of Alfonso III; G) tombstone or sarcophagus lid covering the ossuary; H) ossuary pit where the supposed remains of Teodomiro were found; I) brick tomb
Digitisation of the stratigraphic profile drawing by Chamoso Lamas (1957). A) south façade of the Basilica of Alfonso III; B) tombstone or lid of the sarcophagus of Bishop Teodomiro; C) base of the south façade of the Basilica of Alfonso III; D) first fragment of decorated bone plaque; E) second fragment of decorated bone plaque; F) rubble fill following the destruction of the Basilica of Alfonso III; G) tombstone or sarcophagus lid covering the ossuary; H) ossuary pit where the supposed remains of Teodomiro were found; I) brick tomb. Credit: P. Pérez-Ramallo et al.

Now, an international team led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Germany has conducted an exhaustive analysis of these skeletal remains, combining osteological, ancient DNA, and stable isotope techniques. Their results strongly suggest that these remains indeed belong to Teodomiro.

Our analyses indicate that the remains correspond to an elderly man, between 45 and 70 years old, which aligns with the expected age for a bishop at that time, explains Patxi Pérez-Ramallo, an archaeologist on the team. Additionally, the stable isotope and ancient DNA analyses support the idea that this individual came from the Galicia region, where the episcopal seat of Iria Flavia, to which Teodomiro belonged, was located.

Radiocarbon dating places the remains between 673 and 820 AD, a range that, while not exactly matching Teodomiro’s death in 847 AD, could be within expectations due to factors such as the marine reservoir effect in the individual’s diet.

Current state (November 2021) of the place where the supposed remains of Bishop Teodomiro were found in a secondary position
Current state (November 2021) of the place where the supposed remains of Bishop Teodomiro were found in a secondary position. Credit: Patxi Pérez-Ramallo

We must consider that the bone sample used for radiocarbon dating had a fast turnover, about 10-15 years. Moreover, the consumption of marine proteins could have caused an apparent aging of the remains, Pérez-Ramallo points out.

The stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen in the bones and dental enamel also provide clues about the social status and diet of this individual. The values are slightly lower than those of other elite figures buried in the medieval necropolis of the Cathedral of Santiago, which could reflect a more humble situation after the discovery of the supposed remains of St. James the Greater.

This might indicate that Teodomiro followed more modest diets, perhaps tied to monastic rules that limited meat consumption, interprets the researcher.

On the other hand, the ancient DNA analysis revealed that this individual had a significant North African genetic contribution, which could be related to his Roman origins or more recent mixtures with populations from Islamic Al-Andalus.

Bone elements preserved from individual NCS200. Image taken in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in November 2019. The remains could only be examined for a few hours as a result of the transfer of the remains and the remodelling of the interior of the church
Bone elements preserved from individual NCS200. Image taken in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in November 2019. The remains could only be examined for a few hours as a result of the transfer of the remains and the remodelling of the interior of the church. Credit: Patxi Pérez-Ramallo

This highlights the complexity of social and demographic interactions between Christians and Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula during the 8th and 9th centuries, comments Pérez-Ramallo.

The results of this multidisciplinary investigation, published in the journal Antiquity, not only help clarify Teodomiro’s identity but also shed light on the diversity of origins and social statuses present among the religious elites of the time.

These kinds of studies that combine archaeology, history, and natural sciences are crucial for better understanding the past, beyond the narratives constructed in the present, Pérez-Ramallo concludes. In this case, we have been able to verify the existence of a key figure in the origins of the Camino de Santiago, thus enriching our knowledge of this important historical and cultural phenomenon.

SOURCES

Pérez-Ramallo P, Rodríguez-Varela R, Staniewska A, et al. Unveiling Bishop Teodomiro of Iria Flavia? An attempt to identify the discoverer of St James’s tomb through osteological and biomolecular analyses (Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain). Antiquity. Published online 2024:1-18. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.91

  • Share on:

Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Follow LBV Magazine on Google News