Real-life 'Three Musketeers' mystery deepens after excavation blunder destroys key evidence

Months aft archaeologists were abuzz astir the imaginable find of the legendary Fourth Musketeer's remains, section officials person reported a large setback.

The remains, which whitethorn beryllium to Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan, were recovered adjacent the altar of St. Peter and Paul Church successful Maastricht, the Netherlands, successful February.

D'Artagnan is the legendary French musketeer who inspired Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers." He died during a siege adjacent Maastricht connected June 25, 1673.

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Contemporary documents accidental D'Artagnan was buried connected consecrated crushed nearby, making the altar find particularly promising.

But connected July 2, the Municipality of Maastricht announced a important setback successful the probe — and pointed to improper archaeological enactment done earlier the authoritative excavation connected March 13.

The remains were discovered aft the religion level collapsed, opening a spread that led archaeologists to a burial perchance tied to d'Artagnan. (De Agostini via Getty Images; Reuters/Piroschka van de Wouw)

"The excavation enactment carried retired earlier March 13 was not documented according to modular archaeological procedures," the municipality said successful a quality release.

"As a result, a important magnitude of archaeological accusation has been irreversibly lost."

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When archaeologists began the authoritative excavation, lone astir 50% of the skeleton remained successful its archetypal position, and astir a 3rd of the skeleton's skull was missing.

"The concern is highly analyzable because, during the archetypal excavation work, assorted bones were collected without documentation."

"The concern is highly analyzable because, during the archetypal excavation work, assorted bones were collected without documentation," the merchandise noted.

The retired archaeologist who led the archetypal excavation enactment earlier the authoritative March 13 dig, Wim Dijkman, was arrested successful May aft refusing to surrender the bones to authorities, according to the NL Times.

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In March, Dijkman told Reuters that the archaeological enactment became "a top-level investigation."

D'Artagnan is the legendary French musketeer who inspired Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers." (Photo12/UIG/Getty Images)

"We privation to beryllium perfectly definite — oregon arsenic definite arsenic ​possible — whether it is the celebrated musketeer, who was killed present adjacent Maastricht," helium said.

At this stage, officials said it was unclear whether the skeleton belonged to d'Artagnan oregon not.

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Isotope investigation recovered that 27% to 30% of the man's fare consisted of fish, a uncovering researchers said is inconsistent with what is known astir d'Artagnan's manner and apt diet.

"We privation to beryllium perfectly definite — oregon arsenic definite arsenic ​possible — whether it is the celebrated musketeer, who was killed present adjacent Maastricht," said the retired archaeologist who led the archetypal excavation work.  (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)

"Although oversea food was sold astatine markets successful Paris and Lille successful the 17th century, and salted food was besides eaten inland, it remains unclear whether musketeers would person been served this benignant of nutrient frequently," the merchandise said.

"This raises the question of whether specified a fare was communal among Catholic musketeers from France successful the 17th century."

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Officials besides stressed the probe does not regularisation retired the anticipation that the skeleton belonged to d'Artagnan.

Archaeologists successful the Netherlands are investigating whether recently discovered remains could beryllium to d'Artagnan, the famed musketeer linked to Alexandre Dumas' novel. (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images; Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

"Based connected the existent data, this makes recognition arsenic d’Artagnan little likely, though it cannot beryllium ruled out," the connection added.

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Fox News Digital antecedently reached retired to Dijkman for comment.