Remains of d'Artagnan, from 3 Musketeers fame, possibly found beneath Dutch Church

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The archaeologist who took part in the excavation is more cautious.

"I'm a scientist, but my expectations are high," Wim Dijkman told regional public broadcaster Omroep Limburg, adding that he preferred to wait for DNA confirmation of the skeleton's identity.

A sample has been taken from the remains and is currently being analysed in Germany, while some of the bones have been taken to the Dutch city of Deventer to assess the skeleton's age, where it is from and whether it is male or female.

"I've already been researching d'Artagnan's grave for 28 years. This could be the highlight of my career," said Dijkman.

D'Artagnan is believed to have been hit in the throat by a musket ball as Louis XIV sought to capture Maastricht.

The French army decided that as it was mid-summer they would bury him locally, and their camp had been set up close to the church in the Wolder area in what is now the south-west corner of Maastricht.

Although d'Artagnan was modelled on a historical figure, the three musketeers were fictional characters who may have been inspired by three members of an elite corps who provided protection for the king and took part in military action.

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was the nougat still edible?

In 350 years they will be talking about the discovery of Mouseketeer skeletons.

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French musketeer d'Artagnan, remains have been found under the floor of a Dutch church

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When I read this, my Gen X arse immediately thought of:

In the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series (Season 3, Episode 16: "The Four Musketurtles"), Leonardo assumes the persona of D'Artagnan after a head injury makes him believe the Turtles are the Three Musketeers. He acts as the leader of the group, which also features the other turtles as Athos, Porthos, and Aramis.

For musketeers those guys sure liked blades.