DNA confirms skeleton as Richard III

Back in November, I wrote a  blog post about the scientific tests being carried out on a skeleton, which was found by a team of archaeologists while excavating the site of Grey Friars friary in Leicester.  Grey Friars was known to be the burial place of Richard III.  Could the skeleton actually be the remains of the English king? 

 

As soon as the skeleton was discovered, the bones were excavated under forensic conditions and a battery of tests was carried out to try and answer this question.

 

Last week, the results of the tests were made public.  They showed 'beyond reasonable doubt' that the skeleton was that of Richard III.  The clinching piece of evidence was the DNA match between the mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) of the descendants of the family of Richard III and the skeletal remains.  Fortunately, there was no degradation of the mt-DNA in the bones, so the scientists were able to obtain a useful profile.

 

So how does the evidence stack up?

 

• Radiocarbon dating revealed the date of death as being in the second half of the 15th century or the early 16th century.  Richard III died in 1485.

• Radiocarbon dating also revealed that the individual ate a high protein diet in life, which indicates a person of high status and wealth.

• The cause of death  was from one of two fatal injuries to the skull.  Altogether, ten wounds were discovered on the skeleton.  Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth.
• The skeleton revealed scoliosis (curvature of the spine).  Although 1.7m (5ft 8ins) tall, the individual would have stood significantly shorter and his right shoulder may have have been higher than his left.  Shakespeare portrays Richard III in this manner.
• The mt-DNA matches two of Richard III's maternal line relatives.  The family relationship has been verified by a genealogist.

Here is a link to the Unversity of Leicester website which has videos of the excavation, some of the tests and the press conference announcing the results.

 

The Search for Richard III

 

This was, clearly, exciting news for forensic science and history.  It was also very lucky that a DNA analysis was possible i.e. a profile could be obtained from the bones and a source of DNA was available from verifiable descendants.

 

Needless to say, the British press went into overdrive immediately after the results were announced.  However, I do want to share one particularly interesting article with you. It reveals how a team of scientists from Dundee University in Scotland went about the task of recreating the face of Richard III - without going anywhere near the skeleton.

The face of Richard III

 

I hope you enjoyed this blog post.  Please feel free to share it with your friends.  Do let me know if there are particular topics you would like me to blog about.  Perhaps I'll give bones a rest for a little while!