A skeleton of a Gaul more than 2100 years old was discovered under Geneva's cathedral and is believed to be that of military or religious dignitary from the Allobroges tribe, the Swiss press reported today.

The body of a man aged about 45, buried around 120 BC, was found some 10m underneath the church's choir, the weekly Le Matin said.

Only the legs, pelvis, arms and half of the lower spinal cord have been exposed, as the rest of the body was covered by rocks that were difficult to move.

"I would not be surprised if it is the remains of a great military leader," said Charles Bonnet, the archaeologist who made the discovery, who is known for having found the statues of the black pharaohs in Sudan in 2003.