This Week's Interesting Obits

Prof Mick Aston (d. 24 Jun 2013).  Archaeologist
BBC obit, 25 Jun 2013
Daily Telegraph obit, 25 Jun 2013
Guardian obit, 25 Jun 2013
Independent Obit, 26 Jun 2013

Hans Hass (d. 16 Jun 2013).  Underwater film pioneer.
Daily Telegraph obit, 24 Jun 2013

Richard III Announcement

As regular readers will know, I have been following the saga of the excavation in Leicester of what might be Richard III's remains.

Well, scientists have this morning announce that they are convinced 'beyond all reasonable doubts' that the remains are those of the king.

See
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9846693/Richard-III-skeleton-is-the-king.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-21063882

Richard III Update

Sir Ian McKellen - my favorite Richard

This blog has been following the story of the archeological search in Leicester for the remains of Richard III (use the label to see the other posts).

The Daily Telegraph is now reporting that it is almost certain that the body uncovered in September is that of the King, but that the news is being held back so it can be tied in with a TV documentary later this year.

Richard III 'Debate'

I've already blogged about the search for RIchard III's remains, and it's been interesting to follow the archaeologists' search.

But now we have the unedifying  sight of politicians getting involved...

Last week Leicester, Nottinghamshire and York MPs discussed where the king should be re-interred.  According to the BBC

Campaigners from both York and Leicester have said the remains, should they prove to be the king, ought to come to them. 

In the debate, Labour MP John Mann, from Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire, offered Worksop as a halfway point between the two.

An MP sent the justice minister Helen Grant  a Written Question on the subject (why?).  She confirmed that 'it is the plan' that he should be buried at Leicester Cathedral (which happens to be the closest church to his current burial site, so would be the usual choice in the case of archaeological excavation of Christian remains).

In the meantime Prof Lin Foxhall, head of archaeology and ancient history at the University of Leicester has issued a statement in which she basically tells the MPs to butt out

It is premature to speculate on the outcome of the investigation – and people should certainly not jump to any conclusions. 

As archaeologists, we go where the evidence takes us, but we have not yet proven that these remains are Richard III, because we do not yet have the evidence to do so. I'm worried people will lose sight of how cautious we were when we announced our findings – it is part of the rigour of academic research that we thoroughly examine all the evidence before reaching a conclusion.

It's important for the integrity of our work to conduct our research unencumbered by speculation linked to a particular outcome.

It seems that there are suggestions today that the minister spoke too soon. This evening I had the misfortune to hear these buffoons continuing the debate on the radio along with cries of 'Government U-Turn!'

Richard III's Remains - Update

Back in August, I posted on the start of the archeological dig in Leicester of the supposed site of the burial of King Richard III.

There has been various press coverage since - mainly on the lines of 'We're getting there...', but now it is being reported that there is 'strong evidence' that his body has been found.

The remains found show signs of spinal abnormalities and a 'cleaved-in skull' that suggest it could be Richard III, the University of Leicester team said.

A university spokesperson said 'strong circumstantial evidence' including signs of a peri-mortem (near-death) trauma to the skull and abnormalities on the spine - severe scoliosis - were found after an initial examination of the skeleton.

DNA testing is to follow.

We are not saying today that we have found King Richard III. What we are saying the search for Richard III it has entered a new phase. The skeleton certainly has characteristics that warrant extensive, further and detailed examination.  (Richard Taylor, Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Leicester)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9537600/Strong-evidence-Richard-IIIs-body-has-been-found-with-a-curved-spine.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9538546/Archaeologists-believe-they-have-found-skeleton-of-King-Richard-III.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-19561018

Recovering Richard's Remains

An interesting story about the search for the burial place of Richard III.

Archeologists have started a dig to look for the site of Greyfriars Church, part of a Franciscan Friary in Leicester.  It's where Richard was buried after his death at the Battle of Bosworth (1485) - after he was stripped, brought into Leicester and humiliatingly displayed by the victors.

Greyfriars was destroyed in 1538 during the disolution of the monastries and the archeaologists from the University of Leicester are now trying to establish its site.  I suspect the link to Richard is quite convenient in getting funding, and has certainly got them a lot of publicity.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-video/9496120/Archaeologists-search-for-body-of-Richard-III.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9497194/Richard-III-descendant-present-as-search-for-remains-begins.html

If they do find a body they think is Richard's, they will do DNA comparisions with one of his descendants.

^{Dr Turi King from Leicester University gives Michael Ibsen, a 17th generation great nephew of Richard III, a DNA swab at Greyfriars car park in Leicester (PA)}

Apparently, it's archeological good practice to re-bury human remains as close as practicable to where they were found.  In this case, they likely to be interred in Leicester Cathedral. where no doubt the new grave will be a tourist attraction.  The dean will be pleased.