King Richard III Found? DNA Evidence Suggests Remains Are From Famed English Ruler
Human remains that were uncovered from under a parking lot are said to be that of King Richard III, which might put an end to the 500-year old quest to find the final resting spot of the famed English King.
Richard III was the last king to die in battle when he fell during fighting against the man who would succeed him, Henry Tudor, at the Battle of Bosworth Field in central England in 1485.
Researchers had labeled this find as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of that last few decades.
A team of scientists from the University of Leicester stated a skeleton found last year during excavations of a mediaeval friary, happened to be located under a parking lot, was that of the famed king.
"It's the academic conclusion of the University of Leicester that beyond reasonable doubt the individual exhumed at Grey Friars in September 2012 is indeed Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England," Richard Buckley, the lead archaeologist on the project, told researchers during a presentation at the university about the physical evidence and condition of the skeleton that was found.
Researchers revealed that DNA samples taken from the remains matched that of Michael Ibsen, who genealogist's state is the direct descendant of the former king's sister, the Anne of York, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Scientists were able to determine the identity of the skeleton after experts preformed radio carbon dating, DNA tests and also CAT scans. They then were able to take that information and compare those findings with data that had been compiled from experts in weapons trauma before they were positive of their findings.
Researchers revealed that the skeleton contained signs of injuries consistent with wounds one would expect to be found from someone who died in battle: blunt force trauma and splintered bones.
