Body found under parking lot is King Richard III, scientists prove. British scientists announced Monday, February 4, that they are convinced "beyond reasonable doubt" that a skeleton found during an archaeological dig in Leicester, central England, in August 2012 is that of the former king, who was killed at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
Mitochondrial DNA extracted from the bones was matched to Michael Ibsen, a Canadian cabinetmaker and direct descendant of Richard III's sister, Anne of York. As the skeleton was being excavated, a notable curve in the spine could be seen. The body was found in a roughly-hewn grave, which experts say was too small for the body, forcing it to be squeezed in to an unusual position. The positioning also shows that his hands may have been tied. Archaeologists say their examination of the skeleton shows Richard met a violent death: They found evidence of 10 wounds -- eight to the head and two to the body -- which they believe were inflicted at or around the time of death. Here, the complete spine is displayed. The bare bones of Richard III. A facial reconstruction of King Richard III is unveiled by the Richard III… (Dan Kitwood / Getty Images ) Who was Richard III?
We've got an idea of what he looked like thanks to a new 3-D reconstruction of his head, made after the discovery of his skull, along with the rest of his skeleton, under a parking lot in Leicester, England. But what kind of person he was remains in dispute. Was the king, who died at 32 in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, an emerging democrat and saintly protector? Or was he the "poisonous bunch-backed toad" of Shakespeare's "Richard III," an ogre who murdered his brother's sons and stole the crown, making him the most notorious usurper in English history? PHOTOS: Remains of King Richard III The truth is, we know little about him, which leaves plenty of room for projecting ideas and emotions. Then there's Ishaan Tharoor at Time magazine, who calls Richard "one of history's losers.
" What can we say for certain about Richard III? Will DNA prove the princes lived? - Home News - UK. Jack Leslau, an amateur historian, believes that the boy princes were not murdered by their wicked uncle, Richard III, as recorded by Shakespeare, but were smuggled out of the Tower and grew up in Tudor England under false identities.
One, Richard, Duke of York, he says, is buried in Belgium; the other, who reigned briefly as Edward V, in Chelsea. Mr Leslau, who has spent 18 years and thousands of pounds constructing his theory, has been given permission by the Archbishop of Marines-Brussels to pass an endoscope, a flexible viewing tube, into a concealed chamber in the vaults of St Romuldus Cathedral in Mecklen, to discover whether it is the resting place of one of the princes.
Scientists at the University of Louvain have agreed to carry out DNA profiling of the body within. Mr Leslau believes that the princes became distinguished adults in the reign of Henry VIII and their true identities were kept secret. Now Mr Leslau's controversial theories are to be put to the test. Richard III dig: DNA confirms bones are king's. 4 February 2013Last updated at 15:15 GMT The skeleton is 'beyond reasonable doubt' the remains of Richard III A skeleton found beneath a Leicester car park has been confirmed as that of English king Richard III.
Experts from the University of Leicester said DNA from the bones matched that of descendants of the monarch's family. Lead archaeologist Richard Buckley, from the University of Leicester, told a press conference to applause: "Beyond reasonable doubt it's Richard. " Richard, killed in battle in 1485, will be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral. Mr Buckley said the bones had been subjected to "rigorous academic study" and had been carbon dated to a period from 1455-1540. Dr Jo Appleby, an osteo-archaeologist from the university's School of Archaeology and Ancient History, revealed the bones were of a man in his late 20s or early 30s. His skeleton had suffered 10 injuries, including eight to the skull, at around the time of death. 'Humiliation injuries' Missing princes DNA trail Tomb plans.