Archaeologists in the Netherlands believe they've uncovered the final resting place of Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan, the real-life inspiration for Alexandre Dumas' famous character. The skeleton was excavated in Maastricht by Wim Dijkman, who has spent 28 years researching the legendary musketeer's burial site. Dijkman told the BBC that finding the grave could be the highlight of his career.

D'Artagnan served as captain-lieutenant of the King's Musketeers, the elite French military unit made up of noblemen. He died during the 1673 siege of Maastricht when Louis XIV invaded the Dutch Republic. Historical records suggest d'Artagnan attended Mass at Saints Peter and Paul church that morning before being killed in battle.

Based on parish registers and 17th-century maps, researchers believe d'Artagnan's body was buried beneath the church altar where he had taken Communion. The location matches where high-ranking officers killed during the siege would have been interred. If confirmed, this discovery would solve a 350-year-old mystery about the final resting place of one of France's most famous military figures.