Crypts are far more than somber vaults for bones; they are time capsules brimming with enigmas. The 10 secrets buried beneath the earth reveal artistic marvels, relics, and even medical clues that give scholars a vivid glimpse into bygone lives. From glittering sarcophagi to mysterious inscriptions, each subterranean find whispers a tale waiting to be heard. Prepare to explore the hidden marvels that still lie in the shadows of these underground chambers.

10 Siberian Death Masks

In the spring of 2015, a team of researchers uncovered a cache of twenty gypsum death masks inside an ancient crypt tucked away in Siberia’s Kemerovo region. The burial site belonged to the enigmatic Tashtyk culture, a warrior society that dominated large swaths of Siberia from roughly 300 BC to AD 500. This crypt was hewn directly into the earth, encircled by a sturdy stone wall and topped with a log‑covered roof, and its excavation demanded a two‑year effort.

Inside, archaeologists identified thirty cremated individuals whose skeletal remains had been placed within dummy bodies fashioned from fabric and leather. These dummy bodies featured gypsum masks that formed the faces, and researchers were astonished to note that the masks displayed surprisingly European‑type features. Children’s remains were discovered outside the main burial pit, and none of these youngsters possessed death masks.

Because gypsum is a relatively soft mineral, many of the masks survive only in fragments. Nonetheless, specialists are optimistic that they can painstakingly reassemble the shattered pieces to restore the original visages.

9 Seven Magical Mummies

In 2009, archaeologists stumbled upon seven exceptionally well‑preserved male mummies inside a nine‑century‑old crypt whose walls were festooned with magical script. The crypt lay deep within a monastery at Old Dongola, the historic capital of the medieval Makuria kingdom in present‑day Sudan. All seven interred individuals were over forty years of age, and the burial chamber had been sealed with bricks and a mud mortar.

The walls bore black‑ink inscriptions in both Sahidic Coptic and Greek, featuring Gospel excerpts alongside enigmatic magical names and symbols thought to shield the dead from hostile forces. Contemporary belief held that the newly deceased lingered in a vulnerable state before facing final judgment, prompting the use of protective spells.

Although the crypt was first located in 1933, it remained untouched until more than seven decades later. Scholars now suspect that one of the mummies may be Archbishop Georgios, a prominent Christian figure in Makuria.

8 The Buddha’s Skull

Archaeologists believe they may have uncovered a fragment of the Buddha’s skull within a millennium‑old chest hidden beneath the Grand Bao’en Temple in Nanjing, China. The stupa housing the relic also contained the remains of other Buddhist saints, all stored inside a delicately carved sandalwood box lavishly plated in silver and gold and bedecked with crystal, glass, lapis lazuli, and agate. Inscriptions on the stupa date its construction to the reign of Emperor Zhenzong (AD 997–1022) of the Song Dynasty.

The stupa sat inside an iron box, which itself was enclosed within a stone chest. According to tradition, after the Buddha’s cremation, King Ashoka of India divided the saint’s body into 84,000 equal portions, with China receiving nineteen, including the Buddha’s parietal bone. The relics were originally housed in another temple that was destroyed in warfare some 1,400 years ago.

These extraordinary finds offer a tangible connection to the Buddhist founder and illuminate the lengths taken to preserve his sacred remains across centuries.

7 Cancer Mummy

In 1995, a team of archaeologists uncovered an 18th‑century Hungarian mummy within the sealed crypt of a Dominican church in Vac. The discovery was part of a larger find that yielded roughly 260 naturally preserved bodies. Israeli researchers later examined the remains for cancer‑related genetic mutations.

One individual displayed a mutation in the APC gene, a known catalyst for heightened colon‑cancer risk. This suggests that a genetic predisposition to certain cancers may have existed long before modern lifestyle factors—such as sedentary habits and processed foods—became prevalent. Today, colorectal cancer ranks as the third most common cancer worldwide.

The presence of the APC mutation in this ancient mummy underscores the possibility that inherited genetic factors could play a more pivotal role in disease emergence than previously recognized.

6 Secret Medici Crypt

In 2004, researchers uncovered a concealed crypt belonging to Italy’s illustrious Medici dynasty. While revisiting a known Medici burial site, they were startled to find that the tomb of Grand Duke Gian Gastone, the last Medici ruler, was empty. Their search for the missing remains led them to a secret chamber hidden behind the main altar of Florence’s Church of San Lorenzo.

Upon lifting a heavy stone slab, investigators discovered a staircase descending to a hidden crypt that housed one adult coffin—containing Gastone himself—and eight smaller coffins belonging to children. Examination of the children’s skeletal remains revealed signs of rickets, a disease caused by insufficient vitamin D, likely exacerbated by their indoor, dimly lit environment.

Some of the child burials could not be positively identified, leading scholars to speculate that a number of them may have been illegitimate offspring of the Medici line.

5 Earliest Depiction Of Jesus

In an Egyptian crypt situated in the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, archaeologists recently uncovered what might be the earliest visual representation of Jesus. Accessing the subterranean space required the removal of an astonishing 45 tons of stone. The crypt’s walls bore six successive layers of paint, with the most recent dating to the early Coptic Christian period.

One particular fresco captured scholars’ attention: it depicts a tunic‑clad young man with curly hair extending a benediction. Some experts argue this could be the oldest known likeness of Christ, though the figure’s true identity remains uncertain pending translation of surrounding cryptic inscriptions. The crypt itself belonged to a 17‑year‑old scribe and his priestly family.

Researchers also noted an adjoining, unexplored chamber, hinting that additional, perhaps even more astonishing discoveries may yet lie hidden within the complex.

4 Crypt Of The Ancient Astronaut

The concealed entrance to the tomb of Pakal II, a Maya monarch of Palenque, was first revealed in 1948. It took an additional four years of painstaking rubble removal before researchers could finally step inside the hidden chamber. Within, the ruler’s remains were discovered clothed in a jade mask adorned with beads, surrounded by sculptures and carvings reflecting Mayan underworld beliefs.

Although historical records suggest Pakal II died at around 80 years of age, skeletal analysis indicates he may have been closer to 40. Moreover, an enigmatic carving on the lid of his sarcophagus sparked speculation after Erich von Däniken’s 1968 bestseller “Chariots of the Gods” proposed that, when viewed sideways, the image resembled a spacecraft. While some observers see traditional Mayan iconography of death and rebirth, others claim the relief depicts a fuselage complete with breathing apparatus and controls.

This dual interpretation fuels ongoing debate about whether the Maya possessed advanced astronomical knowledge—or simply created intricate symbolic art.

3 Prague’s Hidden Masterpiece

Art historians recently brought to light a previously unseen monument concealed deep within Prague’s Loreto crypt, situated beneath the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord. The tomb’s walls are adorned with intricate depictions of death, resurrection, and allegorical representations of time. Dated to 1664, these striking illustrations of the Ars Moriendi employ only black and gray tones, creating a sophisticated chiaroscuro effect.

The crypt was opened for the first time in decades in 2011, revealing works heavily inspired by Dutch masters, including several copies of Rembrandt. The identity of the artist remains a mystery; speculation ranges from Cosmas of Austria to the Viennese painter Tobias Pock, both of whom had documented collaborations with Capuchin monks.

Uncertainty also surrounds the patronage: the commission may have originated from Countess Elisabeth Apollonia of Kolowrat, yet definitive attribution remains elusive.

2 Heart Burial

In 2015, archaeologists uncovered five centuries‑old hearts within the crypt beneath the Convent of the Jacobins in Rennes, France. Each organ had been preserved inside a lead urn shaped like a heart and bore inscriptions that identified their owners. The artifacts date from the 16th and 17th centuries and were discovered during a survey preceding the convent’s conversion into a conference venue.

After careful cleaning to remove embalming substances, the hearts were examined using MRI and CT scans, offering a rare glimpse into historical circulatory health. One heart showed no pathological signs, while three exhibited serious blockages, including plaque buildup and atherosclerosis.

Among the discoveries was the heart of a knight interred in the grave of Louise de Quengo, Lady of Brefeillac; the organ belonged to her husband, Toussaint Perrien. This practice of separating the heart from the body for burial was a common custom during the period.

1 Jesus’s Family

In 1980, archaeologists uncovered a concealed crypt in Jerusalem that housed the Talpiot Tomb, containing ten ossuaries—small stone boxes designed to hold human remains. Some proponents argue that these containers provide definitive evidence that the tomb belonged to Jesus of Nazareth and his immediate family, suggesting that the messianic figure was interred alongside a spouse and offspring.

The ossuary inscriptions include references to “Jesus, Son of Joseph,” “Mary, the master,” and even “Judas, son of Jesus.” Certain scholars interpret these labels as indicating that Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and a son named Judas were buried together.

Critics, however, contend that the name “Jesus” may actually read “Hanun,” and that the inscription on Mary’s box could be misread as “Mariam and Mara,” implying the presence of two female individuals. Additionally, the Mary ossuary bears a Greek inscription, whereas the others are in Aramaic, adding further complexity to the debate.

There’s something about an underground tunnel that I personally love. It’s dark, spooky, full of spiders and low-hanging pipes—and sometimes, there are dead people. It’s romantic and educational! (I was not the average thrill-seeker as a child, okay?)

When I think of crypts, catacombs, and underground cities, I jump to antiquity first. There are the necropolis under the Vatican Basilica and the burial crypts of ancient Egypt. Don’t forget the famous Catacombs in Paris and Palermo. By definition, a crypt is a “chamber, such as a vault, wholly or partly underground especially: a vault under the main floor of a church.” It makes sense we would associate crypts and underground cities of bones with our European counterparts and ancient ancestors. It’s not something we think could exist under our feet in cities in the U.S. like Boston, New York, or even Seattle.

So here’s a look at some of the American crypts and subterranean cities you can visit (and I recommend it) if you’re into winding tunnels, mystery, history, and sometimes just centuries-old dead guys. No judgment here.

Related: 10 Bone-Chilling Facts About the Catacombs of Paris

10 Seattle, WA

Believe it or not, Seattle, Washington, has an entire secret underground city that burned down in a large fire in 1889. The new city was simply rebuilt on top of the old ruins, which are still open to tours today. Between 1890 and 1907, the old ground floor continued to be used. Merchants either carried on business on the bottom floors that had managed to survive the fire or the new above-ground layer. Pedestrians then used the now-underground levels with sidewalks lit by the pavement lights above.

As you can imagine, the Underground level led to the seedier businesses. In 1907, the city condemned the Underground out of fear of the bubonic plague that was spreading along the West Coast at the time. Underground Seattle became abandoned and left to deteriorate and for use as storage. All the new abandoned space under the city became tempting accommodations for vagrants, illegal gambling, prostitution, opium dens, and speakeasies.

Today, you can visit the Seattle Underground on one of many tours. There are still artifacts and relics down there from decades past. It’s creepy and supposedly haunted, as most underground cities reportedly are.^[1]

9 New York, NY

If a more somber tour of a crypt is your thing, I would recommend popping over to New York City. Right off Mulberry Street, you’ll find St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, with the only active Roman Catholic cemetery in Manhattan outside its doors. Some of the inhabitants are over 200 years old. The cathedral itself was the largest in the United States when it was completed in 1815, and it was the seat of the first Bishop of the Diocese of New York. Much of the wooden cathedral interior burned to the ground in 1866 in a fire set off by a kitchen stove.

Step inside today and walk down into the basement, however, and you can take a “candlelight” (It’s an LED flashlight, you know, because of the fire) tour of the crypt beneath the church. You won’t see any visible bones, but you will see lined hallways with ornate vaults and notable inhabitants. There’s Countess Annie Leary, the Delmonico family, and “Honest John” Kelly, to name a few. Oh, and upstairs, you’ll see where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the baptism scene in The Godfather.^[2]

8 Indianapolis, IN

Indiana is not a place where you’d think an underground catacomb tunnel network would exist, but it does. And it so happens that it’s very creepy to behold if you’re by yourself. Trust me on this one.

In 1886, the city of Indianapolis constructed two public buildings on Market Street designed by architect Dietrich Bohlen. These buildings were: City Market and Tomlinson Hall. City Market remains a thriving and beloved part of the downtown community of Indianapolis. Tomlinson Hall, however, disappeared from the cityscape in January 1958 when a fire ravaged the area. The city took down the remains later that year.

Today only its iconic arch and basement, known as the Catacombs, mark this once vibrant space. You can tour the catacombs as well! According to the city, the Catacombs qualify as both a ruin and a redevelopment opportunity, and they welcome visitors to explore the city’s past, present, and future. They have gone on record to say that Indianapolis’s Catacombs don’t contain bones or crypts (that they know of) but rather scores of brick barrel-vaulted arches. Nonetheless, it’s a cool space to visit if you get the chance. If you do find bones, high tail it out of there.^[3]

7 Atlanta, GA

Let’s talk about The Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe University. You’ve probably never heard about it unless you were really into the Guinness Book of World Records in the early ’90s or lived in Atlanta at some point. So, for background, I grew up in Atlanta and once went on a field trip to Oglethorpe University, where I saw The Crypt of Civilization. As a 10-year-old kid, I was intrigued and invested in opening this crypt and pretty much have been ever since.

There are no bodies (we think) inside this crypt. They also claim there are no valuables, gold, or jewelry inside this crypt. So, what is it? Very few facts exist about The Crypt itself. According to the University, “The Crypt of Civilization at Oglethorpe is the oldest millennial time capsule in conception and the largest in the world. In 1936, detailed plans were executed to build an extraordinary time capsule—one designed to store records for over 6,000 years, done on what could perhaps be described as an epic scale never before conceived. The visionary of this improbable quest was Oglethorpe University president Dr. Thornwell Jacobs, who has been called ‘the father of the modern time capsule.’” Jacobs was convinced that his generation could be the first to perform what he later called “our archaeological duty.” This was an obligation to provide for future historians “a thorough and accurate record, scientifically selected and preserved, of life in the twentieth century.” Some more facts to include:

• The Crypt of Civilization was sealed on May 28, 1940
• It is not to be opened until May 28, 8113
• No, you can not go inside; but you can visit the sealed stainless steel door

A lot has changed in the world since 1940. Oglethorpe has access to a lot of human archaeological archives. What’s in this crypt? Your guess is as good as mine. We’ll have to wait until National Treasure 3 or the end of the world to find this one out. I recommend going to look at the door if you’re in town. It’s as ominous and mysterious as you’d think.^[4]

6 Waterbury, CT

This is the only catacomb I’m truly scared of. Holy Land, USA is a religious “theme park” in Waterbury, CT, and nothing really says fun for the family like getting tetanus or succumbing to a deteriorating cave-in.

The park was originally opened in 1955 by John Baptist Greco, a totally normal lawyer, but it closed to the public in 1984 and was subsequently vandalized. It was also the site of the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in 2010. It was subsequently purchased by a local non-profit and reopened on September 14, 2014, with an inaugural Mass and access to ruins of the grounds. So, what’s the story about the catacombs here?

At the height of the park’s popularity, there was once an attraction called “Catacombs: A History of the Church.” But it now serves as a stark warning of the deterioration of the space. According to a local review: “Any foray into these ancient burial chambers would likely end with a slip down a hidden staircase with your forehead impaled on a plank of rusty nails.” Nope.

Originally, it ran about 200 feet along the old parking lot in a series of corridors. Viewed from the parking lot, it appears to be underground but is actually all above the surface. On the far end, a small entrance contains a sign: “The Pictorial Life of Christ—From the Cradle to the Cross.” Another crudely hand-lettered sign lists every pope up to 1978. The area is open to the public during daylight hours. I would not recommend tempting your fate and going after hours. There are plans to reopen the park in its former glory. ^[5]

5 Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati has a lot of old European architecture engrained into the heart of the city, from the restaurants to apartments and even down to where it buries its dead. It’s not often that a group of families comes together to request their long-dead relatives remain buried together. But that’s exactly what happened at Over-the-Rhine’s St. Francis Seraph Church. The original church was called Christ Church and was built in April of 1819 by the first Catholics of Cincinnati. In March 1822, Edward Fenwick, first bishop of Cincinnati, took possession of Christ Church as his cathedral. Later that year, the new bishop had Christ Church moved to a location downtown.

The cemetery remained while the city grew up around it. In November 1858, the cornerstone was laid for the present St. Francis Seraph Church. The remaining bodies were entombed in a crypt, Poets’ Corner–style , below the altar of the new church, which was consecrated on December 18, 1859.

There they stayed for more than 100 years, inaccessible to everyone except the inhabitants of the friary, which remained cloistered until the 1970s. Now, thanks to the American Legacy Queen City Underground Tour, you can see the crypt in person.^[6]

4 Newark, NJ

In 1937, Father Mateo Amoros was working as the assistant pastor at St. Joseph’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. Father Amoros reportedly took a trip to Montreal that same year, saw some catacombs, and decided that his church should also have them. The problem? The state of New Jersey generally frowned upon opening a new burial chamber beneath the church and told him no. However, Father Amoros had a much grander (and, honestly, creepier) vision in mind for his catacomb.

Instead of human remains, he would have wax corpses of saints and martyrs. By doing this, he opened America’s first wax museum, and you can still visit this “crypt” today. You can see some of the greatest hits, including St. Tarsicio, a 12-year-old altar boy who was beaten to death for refusing to surrender his Eucharist. Also, St. Genaro, who was “thrown into a lighted oven” and “thrown in with wild beasts” for choosing Christianity over paganism. Nearby lies St. Ines, “obedient girl and role model,” who refused to marry a Roman—she said she was already married to God. She then escaped vengeful murder because she was a virgin. So she was dragged to a brothel, deflowered, and then vengefully murdered.^[7]

By the way, this catacomb was also listed on a site as a top place to visit for Catholic field trips. Lovely!

3 Columbia, SC

You can’t buy a ticket to tour the Columbia catacombs, but if you’re brave enough, you can see the mysterious tunnels that all the residents know about. However, no one has an explanation for why they really exist.

“Elaborate brick arches. A two-century-old phenomenon. Cypress floors. Confederate gold. Beautifully crafted brickwork. Underground architectural wonder. Clandestine passageways for state officials. Part of the Underground Railroad.” These phrases include some of what Columbia residents use to describe and explain the tunnels. Built in the 1800s, their original purpose remains a mystery.

Chris Robinson, a professor at USC, has visited and written about the catacombs extensively. He’s even taken artifacts in hopes of finding answers as to why they’re there. So far, no bodies have been found, but the tunnels are miles long—as long as they are ornate. If you’re the adventuring type, go see for yourself and try to answer the centuries-old mystery.^[8]

2 Washington, DC

D.C. has a little bit of everything. You can drop by the White House and try to catch a glimpse of the sitting President, grab some food over at Ben’s Chili Bowl, and even visit the truly breathtaking catacombs and gardens at the Franciscan Monastery. Wait, what?

Built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Franciscan Monastery served as a place for Americans to go when travel to the Holy Land was difficult. Exploring the catacombs makes visiting the monastery feel like a unique adventure, unlike a typical trip to a museum. The designers of the monastery even traveled to the Holy Land and consulted travelers to capture every detail. They wanted a visit to the Franciscan Monastery to feel as authentic as possible. And since the 1920s, the catacombs have been home to the bones of a young child, Saint Innocent, the martyr, that came from the Catacomb of St. Callistus.^[9]

1 Boston, MA

If you’ve been to Boston, you’ve probably stopped by the Old North Church. At the very least, you’ve heard the story of Paul Revere making his famous ride. It’s a rite of passage living in America, I think. What you probably didn’t know is that the Old North Church has a very elaborate crypt underneath it, and there’s plenty of space if you still want to be buried there today. It’s a lot cheaper than you’d think, and you don’t even need to kick out the dusty neighbors. (However, you would have to be cremated!)

Old North Church houses in its basement a crypt containing approximately 1,100 burials. From 1732 to 1860, the church interred congregants below its very floorboards. Since the church has plenty of space beneath and little space above ground, they decided to make the most of what they had to meet the burial demands of the congregation. In the basement, 37 separate brick vaults comprise the tombs in each of which 20 to 40 full coffins could be deposited.

The crypt tour is dark, dusty, and full of history, as you’d probably expect. If you’re tall, you’ll have to watch out for those low-hanging pipes. You’ll be able to see an open vault with an 18th-century coffin still intact. There might even be a ghost or two lingering around, but what else do you expect for the city where it started?^[10]