• A skeleton possibly belonging to d'Artagnan was found in a Dutch church.
• The discovery occurred during repairs after a floor collapse in St. Peter and Paul Church.
• DNA testing is underway to confirm the identity of the remains.
• The remains include a lead bullet and a 1660 coin, suggesting a significant burial.
• D'Artagnan, a real historical figure, inspired Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers.

A skeleton believed to belong to d'Artagnan, the iconic French musketeer, may have been unearthed in a church located in Maastricht, Netherlands. This significant find occurred during repairs on the floor of St. Peter and Paul Church after a partial collapse in February. Archaeologist Wim Dijkman has been involved in the investigation and noted, "This has truly become a top-level investigation, in which we want to be absolutely certain" about the identification of the remains, which were found beneath the altar of the church, a site traditionally reserved for important figures, according to CBS News and BBC.

The archaeological team found several indicators linking the skeleton to d'Artagnan, such as a bullet that had struck him in the throat during the 1673 siege of Maastricht and a coin dated to 1660 from the local bishop. Deacon Jos Valke stated, "It couldn't be much holier than that," reflecting the importance of the burial location, while the coin points to the tragic event that led to his burial in Maastricht rather than transporting him back to Paris, according to Reuters and SCMP.

As DNA analysis is being conducted on a sample taken from the skeleton, expectations are high among researchers who have dedicated years to finding d'Artagnan’s remains. Dijkman, who has spent nearly three decades seeking evidence of d'Artagnan's resting place, remains cautiously optimistic, stating, "This could be the highlight of my career," while awaiting confirmation from the ongoing tests, according to CBS News and Reuters.