Skeleton with 'battle injuries' found by Richard III dig team in Leicester
Archaeologists searching for the lost grave of King Richard III have unearthed a skeleton with a metal arrow in its back which they believe could be the remains of the medieval monarch.
The skeleton was exhumed from a car park behind council offices in Leicester last Tuesday during an archaeological dig by a team from the University of Leicester and is now being subjected to laboratory analysis.
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4. Lead archaeologist Richard Buckley with a piece of tracery that once held a window (Credit - University of Leicester)
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The King Richard III dig team held a press conference held at the Guildhall, Leicester
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1. Richard Buckley and Claire Graham with the Ground Penetrating Radar (Credit - University of Leicester)
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2. Michael Ibsen (genetic descendant of Richard III) and geneticist Dr Turi King. Credit - University of Leicester
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3. Checking the trenches. Credit - University of Leicester
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5. Medieval remains uncovered on site (Credit - University of Leicester)
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6. Philippa Langley, from the Richard III Society, in Herrick's garden. (Image credit - University of Leicester)
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7. Stone Frieze which may be from the Choir stall. (Image credit - University of Leicester)
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8. A 14th-century inlaid floor tile from the church of the Greyfriars (Credit - University of Leicester)
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9. Medieval inlaid floor tiles from the friary (Credit - University of Leicester)
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10. Karen Ladniuk (Richard III Society) cleaning a path made from re-used medieval tiles (Credit - University of Leicester)
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11. Memorial Stone for Richard III at Leicester Cathedral
It was found in what is believed to be the choir of the Grey Friars church, the site of which was also uncovered during the three-week archaeological dig and which is believed to be the burial site of the monarch according to historical records.
Initial examinations have revealed it to be the skeleton of an adult male with the remains said to be in a good condition. It also has a curved spine.
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Richard Taylor, from the University of Leicester, told media at a press conference that the skeleton appears to have suffered significant trauma to the skull at or near the time of death.
“This appears consistent with, although not certainly caused by, an injury received in battle.
“A bladed implement appears to have cleaved part of the rear of the skull,” he said.
The skeleton was found with a barbed metal arrowhead between the vertebrae of the upper back.
Mr Taylor added that the skeleton has spinal abnormalities, which are consistent with reports of the monarch’s appearance.
Mr Taylor said: “We believe the individual would have had severe scoliosis which is a form of spinal curvature.
“This would have made his right shoulder appear visibly higher than the left shoulder.
“This is consistent with contemporary accounts of Richard’s appearance.”
He added: “We are not saying today that we have found Richard III. What we are saying is that the search for Richard III has entered a new phase.
“Our focus is shifting from the archaeological excavation to laboratory analysis.
“This skeleton certainly has characteristics that warrant extensive further detailed examination.”
Related articles:
Is King buried in Leicester car park? Dig to search for Richard III's remains
‘Lost garden’ unearthed in Richard III dig at Leicester car park
Medieval dig confirms site of old church
Human remains found in search for King Richard III at Leicester car park
Skeleton with 'battle injuries' found by Richard III dig team in Leicester
Highlights from the press conference at the Guildhall Leicester where the dig team announced that the search for King Richard III "has taken a dramatic new turn"
Comments
by LikeItaLot
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 11:06PM
“garyb2011, whatever your experience it is ot front-line. Reports have to be written. Are you capable of doing the job, probably not. Just a stupid comment, have a pair and admit it.”
by Bob491
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 8:11PM
“I see your garbage is attracting red arrows garyb2011.
Have you been stopped from dishonestly manipulating them in your own favour?”
by garyb2011
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:13PM
“LikeItALot
Ever heard of mobile phones? Also, you'll be lucky to get a Social Worker to take a referal. Normally, they are 'on a course' or 'off sick' Less report writing - more doing please (and this comes from actual exprience before you try to shoot me down)
Red_Ned
He is a glory seeking ineffective Mayor and he was an ineffective Council Leader and MP. He should have sent one of his many Deputies or Assistants - perhaps the Culture bloke who is on £20k+. He should be sorting the Gypsy Camp thing out or the Thurnby Lodge issue. Leave the University to do what they are doing. Saying that - if he is busy riding on the back of other peoples success, or opening a Tourist Office or picking the plants for his garden we can assume that he is not coming up with some other scheme to waste our money.”
by LikeItaLot
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:55PM
“"the Socials Workers who have lost use of the car park where the body is buried. ***! Perhaps they should be out seeing the people that they are paid to help rather than being in the office."
About as ignorant a comment as they get. Social Workers have to write reposts and take referrals, do you think that happens in the back of a cab. Same could be said for police.”
by Red_Ned
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:47PM
“garyb2011 - he''s the Mayor of the city in which this is all happening, on land that belongs to the council, and he has shown a long time commitment to the study of the history of Leicester. Of course he's going to be there. It would be weird (and would probably be seen as a snub in some quarters) if he wasn't there!
His speech lasted all of 3 minutes. Get some perspective dear chap.”
by garyb2011
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 2:35PM
“Oh dear I've 'spoilt' the report have I?
Just out of interest what justifies SPS putting himself centre stage - trying to get some of the glory from other peoples hard work again me thinks.
Seems to me that he would turn up to the opening of an envelope - as long as the envelope contains good news of course”
by Bob491
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 2:20PM
“garyb2011
How could you spoil such an exciting report with your usual garbage.
I at least was there on Saturday donating £10 to help continue the dig. The whole site was awash with unbridled enthusiasm, Sir Peter Soulsby included. It was great!”
by garyb2011
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 2:01PM
“What a simply fantastic story and great work by the University team whether it turns out to be Richard III or not.
Yet sadly, we see SPS putting himself centre stage again. Apparently, he 'paid tribute' to
the Socials Workers who have lost use of the car park where the body is buried. ***! Perhaps they should be out seeing the people that they are paid to help rather than being in the office.”
by redcat
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 1:39PM
“What will happen to the remains if they are confirmed as Richard III's? Will he be reburied in Westminster Abbey as are many monarchs? A public funeral would be quite something, wouldn't it...”