The Bones of St. Peter: A 1st Full Account of the Search for the Apostle's Body

by John Evangelist Walsh

Here is the fascinating account of the excavation that tunneled through the tangle of ancient structures beneath the magnificent high altar of the Basilica in Rome to locate finally the mortal remains of St. Peter. Thus broke a long standing tradition concerning the real burial place of the great Apostle.

Genres: Catholic, History, Nonfiction, Religion, Theology, Science, Christian

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

John Evangelist Walsh was an American author, biographer, editor, historian and journalist. He was best known for leading a team of 7 editors tasked with creating a condensed version of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Reviews

[Scott Danielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read before taking the Scavi Tour at St. Peter's.
And a great story.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the excavations under the high altar of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, which uncovered the remains of the apostle. Lots of pictures and diagrams help with understanding the complex archaeology under the altar.

[Rev. M. M. Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a long history in Christianity of veneration at the tombs of the martyrs. Perhaps there is no greater martyr than the Apostles Peter and Paul, both of whom died in Rome and imparted their preeminence to the city as the heart of the Church. Both have important churches built over their graves - or at least the supposed sites. Given the history of Christianity, it is probably no wonder that the graves of these two "founding fathers" should be shrouded in mystery. It was only recently that a definitive ruling has been made for the presence of Paul's relics under the altar at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls - but that is a story for another book.

The Bones of St. Peter is an account of the discovery and the years of study and controversy surrounding the burial place discovered (quite accidentally) under the High Altar of St. Peter's Basilica. It had long been believed that Peter was buried on Vatican Hill. Two other churches on the same site preceded the present one. But there was no proof; any evidence of a shrine was covered up as the site was reclaimed and smoothed out for the building of the Basilica. It was only during the Second World War when workmen were expanding the grotto underneath for a more practical space after the death of Pope Pius XI that an ancient Roman cemetery was literally unearthed. Archaeology is a slow science and this excavation would move at a pace that could be called glacial. It would not be until 1968 that a definitive pronouncement would be made.

The book begins with the discovery of the crypt and takes the reader through the entire process of the excavation and investigation. Walsh does not use a lot of technical language so the book is intelligible to ordinary readers. Drawings and photographs accompany the text. Unfortunately, so of the photos are in black and white from the pre-digital age; it requires some concentration to interpret them correctly. Walsh also takes us into the conflicts among the different experts involved in the project. There are those who set out to prove that the bones belong to St. Peter and those who are intent upon proving the opposite. Then too, there are some Vatican authorities who are more concerned with the image of the Church than with the conclusions of pure science. And finally, there is the difficulty of conducting a scientific excavation underneath the High Altar of one of the most visited churches in the world.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a huge fan of “Oak Island” which was a TV show about a hunt for possible pirate treasure on a island on the Canada’s Atlantic coast. Old coins and rusty bits along the way pointed loosely as to where to dig and what might be there.

The “Bones of St. Peter” was a much more interesting treasure hunt. Below the Basilica of St. Peter along a long maze of tombs, graffiti, surrounded by artifacts it turns out the altar of St. Peter’s is the X that marks the spot. The treasure is the Rock upon which God said He would build His Church.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

c 1982. I had great hopes for this book as it was written by somebody who used to work for Readers Digest. Strangely, it was really compelling up to about half way through and then it sort of got stuck. Basic illustrations helped to make sense of some of the excavations. An interesting read in any event. Not sure how general readers would take to it though. 'Constantine was not the first to try giving freedom to Christians."

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing retelling of the several decade effort to locate, if possible, the final resting place of St Peter below the basilica, and the fits and starts and surprises accompanying that work. Almost completely persuasive. It would be nice to have the bones that have been declared to be St Peter's DNA tested to determine the region of origin of the man who owned them, if that's possible with 2,000 year old bones. In any case, the book reads like a spy novel in many places. Enjoyable read.

[Adam M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great account. Fascinating that so much history is buried directly under the Vatican that we see today. I love stories like this. It was packed with history and interesting conjecture. The story of Christ and the Prince of the Apostles was never more credible than finding the very bones of the man that walked with Jesus.

[Edward Gerk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the intrigue and history that this volume contains. I'm fascinated by the hunt, and since I was at a Scavi tour, exploring the places mentioned in the book, it was especially meaningful!

[Lightthiscandle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read about the search for St. Peter's body.

[Catholic Mom and Daughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one… it was written decades ago, but it is full of fascinating details.
Well worth picking up if you enjoy reading about St. Peter and church history.

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a chance recommendation by an acquaintance when I was at our church's St. Jude library. I'm really grateful as I never would have picked up this page-turner otherwise.

Workmen lowering a floor led to the discovery of tombs beneath the basilica. This began an archaeological search for the fabled bones of the apostle St. Peter which tradition held lay beneath the altar. Pope Pius XII had a natural interest in "modern science" and gave the four Vatican archaeologists permission to search as long as the altar itself wasn't disturbed and they said nothing to anyone about it. Once the grave was discovered the mystery continues with the search for St. Peter's bones. The series of circumstances that occur to hide them and then uncover them are like something fictional. Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.

The author has a real talent for communicating archaeological information in laymen's terms. It read like a first class detective story and I often found myself staying up way too late at night to see what was discovered next. Also fascinating was the wealth of information about Christian worship in Rome during the early centuries. This book may be difficult to find as the person who recommended it told me it is no longer being published in this country. That may account for the high price of used books I saw at the Amazon listing. Nevertheless, it is well worth seeking out.

UPDATE
I see that the book is available on the Kindle, although some reviewers mention errors which indicate a lack of correction to the scans used to import the book. Those may have been corrected by now. The sample I downloaded had no errors.

[Juan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting enough account of St Peter's bones and their discovery but this book was too textbook for me and spent way too much time on the structures the bones were found in. It would have been more interesting if, somehow, through the examination of the bones the reader could learn more about Peter the man. There is a reference that he had a deformity but no discussion on what it was and how he got it, for instance. I wouldn't say reading this was a waste of time but I suggest you keep looking for a more interesting book on St Peter.

[Joseph Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping introduction to the excavations under St. Peter's Basilica. Kind of frustrating in technical detail (and lack thereof); I found myself confused about exactly where things were under the altar in relation to each other, until I read Englebert Kirschbaum's book. Walsh is more up-to-date than Kirschbaum's and Guaraldi's earlier works (1950s-1960s), so contains the full account of the identification of the relics believed to be St. Peter's. I recommend this for anyone interested in the subject.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Workmen, while restoring an area under Saint Peter's in the Vatican happened to discover a myriad of burial sites in an underground chamber. In the course of excavation and restoration, they removed the bones of St. Peter the Apostle, and first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The book tells of the fascinating way that the bones were reverently collected and stored and forgotten. Then one day they
were rediscovered, authenticated and re interred in a chapel under the main altar
of Saint Peters. While there are some slow spots in the bool, it is well worth the
read.

[Matthew Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle, "a fascinating account", is a pretty accurate summary. Walsh lays out a compelling narrative of an incredible archaeological discovery that, in its own way, contained as many layers and twists as the edifice that was its focus. One could perhaps wish for better photographs, or disagree with some of the author's personal speculation in the final chapter, but those are minor quibbles.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love his books! Reads like a detective story.

[David Horney · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit dry but really interesting. kinda devolves into speculation at the end--entertaining but no real way to prove anything

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good review of the steps taken to discover and verify the bones of St Peter. Well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Andrea]

borrow from BC library 225.92 WALSHA

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting archaeology and early church history. Surprising how much we know about exactly where St Peter was martyred and what happened there afterwards.

[Joann Glasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

outstanding!!!!!!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the the finding and identifying of the bones of St. Peter in the grotto beneath the high altar of the Vatican basilica. Reads quickly, like a detective story!

[Steve Clark]

Edition: 1st Edition