John the Baptist's remains may be in 5th century Black Sea monastery

Washington, Aug 5 (ANI): The remains of John the Baptist, the biblical prophet famous for baptizing Jesus, may be present in a 5th century monastery in the Black Sea.

Bulgarian archaeologists excavating under an ancient basilica last week unearthed a reliquary, or a container full of human relics.

Bone fragments of a human skull, hand and tooth were found inside.

The monastery is located on Sveti Ivan island, just off the coast of Bulgaria's popular seaside town of Sozopol.

Acccording to the archaeologists, a date inscribed on the alabaster jar, June 24, could be a good sign that the reliquary houses John the Baptist's remains.

June 24 is the day Christian's celebrate the birth of Jesus' contemporary.

However, the Vatican is waiting for more information before making a statement about the find's validity.

Fabrizio Bisconti, superintendent of the Vatican Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology, told CNN that the commission "will wait until a more thorough study has been conducted, including anthropological analysis, before it will express an opinion on the finding," reports Discovery News.

He also said that the Church believes John the Baptists remains are currently scattered around the world, rather than being housed in one location. (ANI)