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I'm a PhD student researching the role of the archaeological dead in contemporary British society. Think of this as a scrapbook of all the interesting links, snippets of information and random bits and bobs I come across pertaining to death, dying and the dead. Enjoy?!

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    Vatican denounces Mexico Death Saint

    A senior Vatican official has condemned the cult of Santa Muerte, or Holy Death, in Mexico as “blasphemous”.

    The president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, said worshipping Santa Muerte was a “degeneration of religion”.

    Cardinal Ravasi spoke at a series of events for believers and non-believers in Mexico City.

    The cult, which reveres death, has been growing rapidly in Mexico.

    It is represented by a cloaked female skeleton clutching a scythe.

    It is particularly popular in areas of Mexico that have suffered from extreme violence carried out by the country’s drug cartels.

    The cult is believed to date back to colonial times.

    It merges indigenous beliefs with the tradition of venerating saints introduced by Christian missionaries after the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

    (Source: BBC News)

    The Romanian Romeo and Juliet: Mystery of the young couple buried holding hands in courtyard of monastery Archaeologists excavating the inner courtyard of a former Dominican monastery may have discovered a Romanian Romeo and Juliet after unearthing the bodies of a young couple who were buried holding hands. Experts from the Cluj-Napoca Institute of Archaeology and History of Art are working on what they believe is the former cemetery of the monastery have already uncovered several bodies But discovering the couple holding hands was a surprise as double burials were extremely rare in that period. Main researcher Adrian Rusu said: ‘It is a mystery - and rare for such burials at that time. ‘We can see that the man had suffered a severe injury that left him with a broken hip from which he probably died. We believe the injury was caused after he was hit by something very blunt and hard.’ Because of the fact that the young woman obviously died at the same time and was presumably healthy we are speculating that she possibly died of a broken heart at the loss of her partner. (Source: The Daily Mail)

    The Romanian Romeo and Juliet: Mystery of the young couple buried holding hands in courtyard of monastery

    Archaeologists excavating the inner courtyard of a former Dominican monastery may have discovered a Romanian Romeo and Juliet after unearthing the bodies of a young couple who were buried holding hands.

    Experts from the Cluj-Napoca Institute of Archaeology and History of Art are working on what they believe is the former cemetery of the monastery have already uncovered several bodies

    But discovering the couple holding hands was a surprise as double burials were extremely rare in that period.

    Main researcher Adrian Rusu said: ‘It is a mystery - and rare for such burials at that time.

    ‘We can see that the man had suffered a severe injury that left him with a broken hip from which he probably died. We believe the injury was caused after he was hit by something very blunt and hard.’

    Because of the fact that the young woman obviously died at the same time and was presumably healthy we are speculating that she possibly died of a broken heart at the loss of her partner.

    (Source: The Daily Mail)

    Gallic Burial Site: French Archaeologists Unearth Warrior Remains At 2,300-Year-Old Cemetery

    Archaeologists made an exciting find this week when they uncovered remains dating back at least 2,300 years at an ancient Gallic burial site in France. Discovering about 30 graves, researchers from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) excavated the remains of Gallic warriors, some of whom were buried with weapons and shields in hand, the Agence France-Presse reports.

    (Source: Huffington Post)

    The Hangman’s Tale: Archaeologists Dig into History of Execution For years, few were interested in unearthing what lay beneath old gallows and scaffolds. But, in Germany, growing interest in “execution site archaeology” is throwing much light on how the executed died and the executors lived. Her interests initially focused on fashion, but then they migrated to murder and decay. Marita Genesis, 42, worked as a runway model for Escada after graduating from secondary school. Later, she studied ancient and early history, and learned about criminal law. Now, the archaeologist is surrounded by criminals. She is standing in a storeroom belonging to the Thuringia State Office for the Preservation of Monuments and pointing at a number of bones. These are the remains of thieves, sodomites and child murderers. The skeletons were found near Alkersleben, not far from the eastern German city of Erfurt, where the counts of Kevernburg punished criminals over 700 years ago. On a hill directly overlooking the trade route to Nuremberg, visible far and wide, the executioner went about his grim business. He kept his head covered with a hood — not out of repugnance, but to protect himself from the “evil eye” of the condemned. Researchers have unearthed the remains of some 70 people, which are now undergoing an anthropological evaluation. One of the dead was tied up, another lay next to an iron strangulation chain. A third had been buried along with a sharp blade. “It could be the murder weapon,” says Genesis. The native of Potsdam, outside Berlin, has just completed her dissertation on this execution site. She is one of many hard-nosed researchers hunting for secrets under old gallows and scaffolds. (Source: Spiegel Online)

    The Hangman’s Tale: Archaeologists Dig into History of Execution

    For years, few were interested in unearthing what lay beneath old gallows and scaffolds. But, in Germany, growing interest in “execution site archaeology” is throwing much light on how the executed died and the executors lived.

    Her interests initially focused on fashion, but then they migrated to murder and decay. Marita Genesis, 42, worked as a runway model for Escada after graduating from secondary school. Later, she studied ancient and early history, and learned about criminal law.

    Now, the archaeologist is surrounded by criminals. She is standing in a storeroom belonging to the Thuringia State Office for the Preservation of Monuments and pointing at a number of bones. These are the remains of thieves, sodomites and child murderers.

    The skeletons were found near Alkersleben, not far from the eastern German city of Erfurt, where the counts of Kevernburg punished criminals over 700 years ago.

    On a hill directly overlooking the trade route to Nuremberg, visible far and wide, the executioner went about his grim business. He kept his head covered with a hood — not out of repugnance, but to protect himself from the “evil eye” of the condemned.

    Researchers have unearthed the remains of some 70 people, which are now undergoing an anthropological evaluation. One of the dead was tied up, another lay next to an iron strangulation chain. A third had been buried along with a sharp blade. “It could be the murder weapon,” says Genesis.

    The native of Potsdam, outside Berlin, has just completed her dissertation on this execution site. She is one of many hard-nosed researchers hunting for secrets under old gallows and scaffolds.

    (Source: Spiegel Online)

    600-year-old skeleton mystery at Fermanagh crannog site Mystery surrounds a 600-year-old skeleton found at the site of an archaeological dig in County Fermanagh. The crannog - a man made island settlement - is situated on a site where the new A32 Cherrymount link road in Enniskillen will be built. The woman, who was in her late teens when she died, was not buried in either a recognised graveyard or in traditional manner. This has led archaeologists to consider the possibility of foul play. Excavation director Dr Nora Bermingham dated the teenager’s death to around the 15th or 16th centuries. “The skeleton of a young woman, probably around 18 or 19 with very bad teeth, was found in the upper layers of the crannog,” she said. She said the burial was “irregular”, but added the cause of death may only be discovered when the remains are examined by a bones specialist. “All we can say at the moment was that the burial itself was in slight disarray, it was slightly disarticulated, which means that it wasn’t a normal internment,” she said. (Source: BBC News)

    600-year-old skeleton mystery at Fermanagh crannog site

    Mystery surrounds a 600-year-old skeleton found at the site of an archaeological dig in County Fermanagh.

    The crannog - a man made island settlement - is situated on a site where the new A32 Cherrymount link road in Enniskillen will be built.

    The woman, who was in her late teens when she died, was not buried in either a recognised graveyard or in traditional manner.

    This has led archaeologists to consider the possibility of foul play.

    Excavation director Dr Nora Bermingham dated the teenager’s death to around the 15th or 16th centuries.

    “The skeleton of a young woman, probably around 18 or 19 with very bad teeth, was found in the upper layers of the crannog,” she said.

    She said the burial was “irregular”, but added the cause of death may only be discovered when the remains are examined by a bones specialist.

    “All we can say at the moment was that the burial itself was in slight disarray, it was slightly disarticulated, which means that it wasn’t a normal internment,” she said.

    (Source: BBC News)

    ‘THE ROUCHOMOVSKY SKELETON’:  A RUSSIAN GOLD ARTICULATED SKELETON IN SILVER-GILT SARCOPHAGUS Estimate: 150,000 - 250,000 USD  The fully articulated human skeleton in a velvet-lined coffin chased around on each side with three panels showing the course of life, one end with attributes of the arts, the other with attributes of war,  the removable cover with the journey in the footsteps of the Angel of Death, surrounded by the faces of infants alternately laughing and crying. Skeleton signed in Cyrillic, on the right splint-bone: Mozyr [18]92 Odessa [18]96 and on the left splint-bone Rouchomovsky; Sarcophagus signed on lid: Israel Rouchomovsky and in Cyrillic on base Israel Rouchomovsky Odessa 1901. Length of skeleton 3 1/2 in., length of coffin 4 3/8 in. 9 cm; 11.2 cm The skeleton 1892-1896, the sarcophagus 1896-1906 Israel Rouchomovsky, Mozyr and Odessa, (Source: Sotheby’s) If only I had a spare small fortune lying around…*sigh*

    ‘THE ROUCHOMOVSKY SKELETON’:  A RUSSIAN GOLD ARTICULATED SKELETON IN SILVER-GILT SARCOPHAGUS

    Estimate: 150,000 - 250,000 USD 

    The fully articulated human skeleton in a velvet-lined coffin chased around on each side with three panels showing the course of life, one end with attributes of the arts, the other with attributes of war,  the removable cover with the journey in the footsteps of the Angel of Death, surrounded by the faces of infants alternately laughing and crying.

    Skeleton signed in Cyrillic, on the right splint-bone: Mozyr [18]92 Odessa [18]96 and on the left splint-bone Rouchomovsky;

    Sarcophagus signed on lid: Israel Rouchomovsky and in Cyrillic on base Israel Rouchomovsky Odessa 1901.

    Length of skeleton 3 1/2 in., length of coffin 4 3/8 in.

    9 cm; 11.2 cm

    The skeleton 1892-1896, the sarcophagus 1896-1906

    Israel Rouchomovsky, Mozyr and Odessa,

    (Source: Sotheby’s)

    If only I had a spare small fortune lying around…*sigh*

    Richard III: King could be taken on final procession from Bosworth Battlefield to Leicester Cathedral

    A procession from Bosworth Battlefield to Leicester Cathedral could play a part in the reinterment of Richard III.

    The bones of the monarch are due to be buried at the cathedral in May next year.

    Proposals include the remains being brought in a procession from Bosworth – where Richard was killed in 1485 – to the city and displaying the king’s coffin, to allow the public to pay their respects.

    Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I think some form of procession is going to be an important part of the ceremony on the day.

    “People will want to have an opportunity to share it publicly.”

    The Duke of Gloucester will be at the reburial as a mark of respect for Richard III, who held the same title for 24 years. Sir Peter said: “I’m very pleased the Duke of Gloucester is firmly committed to being a part of this momentous occasion.

    “We don’t yet know who else might be attending, but we do expect the event will draw in tens of thousands of people.”

    Acting cathedral dean, Canon Barry Naylor, said displaying the coffin was known as “a receiving into the church”. He said: “It’s just an idea at the moment, but we thought it might be fitting, given the interest.”

    The procession would take place between May 4 and 25, with the memorial service four days later.

    Philippa Langley, from the Richard III Society, said “We met cathedral officials and they suggested an honourable procession from the battlefield.

    “To a man we thought it was the most wonderful idea.

    “We’re playing quite a big part in the plans. We went to see the Duke of Gloucester and he suggested using the royal undertaker.

    “We thought that was a very fitting idea and we’re exploring that at the minute.”

    A cathedral spokeswoman said: “The ceremony will probably be part of a longer celebration of Richard in the city, county and cathedral and ideas are being considered which reflect his life and times.”

    Richard Taylor, of the University of Leicester, said: “People need to be aware the remains are very fragile and this needs to be taken into account.

    “Transportation needs to be minimised to avoid damage.

    “One idea is that his standard is brought from Bosworth on horse and reunited with him on his way to the cathedral.

    Compromise deal could see Richard III lie in state at York Minster The remains of King Richard III could lie in state in York Minster later this year under a compromise deal over his final resting place between local campaigners and the academics who discovered his bones. York MPs still plan to meet with Leicester University representatives in the coming weeks to make the case for bringing the King back to his favoured county for burial in Yorkshire, but have also reacted favourably to a possible compromise should they fail. The deal could see the last Yorkist King of England lie in state for a short period at the Minster to allow the public to come and pay their final respects, before he is returned to Leicester to be buried. The remains of Richard III, who was slain at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, were discovered in a car park in Leicester last month. The university team which carried out the excavation plans to bury him at Leicester University. But a rival campaign wants to bring Richard back to his chosen resting place of York Minster. The debate took a nasty turn this week when it emerged the Dean of York, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull, had to call the police after receiving abusive letters from people objecting to her stance on the issue. The possible compromise has been hatched by a “neutral” MP, Chris Skidmore, who is a member of the Richard III society which helped fund the excavation. “I am interested in an independent solution,” Mr Skidmore told MPs. “Consider my compromise, whereby even if Richard is buried in Leicester, his body might lie in state at York for a week.” York Central MP Hugh Bayley, said it was “too early” to make a deal ahead of his crunch talks with Leicester University, but said: “It is a constructive idea. “We should look at ways to 
bring together people from York and Leicester, rather than set them against each other,” he added.

    Compromise deal could see Richard III lie in state at York Minster

    The remains of King Richard III could lie in state in York Minster later this year under a compromise deal over his final resting place between local campaigners and the academics who discovered his bones.

    York MPs still plan to meet with Leicester University representatives in the coming weeks to make the case for bringing the King back to his favoured county for burial in Yorkshire, but have also reacted favourably to a possible compromise should they fail.

    The deal could see the last Yorkist King of England lie in state for a short period at the Minster to allow the public to come and pay their final respects, before he is returned to Leicester to be buried.

    The remains of Richard III, who was slain at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, were discovered in a car park in Leicester last month.

    The university team which carried out the excavation plans to bury him at Leicester University. But a rival campaign wants to bring Richard back to his chosen resting place of York Minster.

    The debate took a nasty turn this week when it emerged the Dean of York, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull, had to call the police after receiving abusive letters from people objecting to her stance on the issue.

    The possible compromise has been hatched by a “neutral” MP, Chris Skidmore, who is a member of the Richard III society which helped fund the excavation.

    “I am interested in an independent solution,” Mr Skidmore told MPs. “Consider my compromise, whereby even if Richard is buried in Leicester, his body might lie in state at York for a week.”

    York Central MP Hugh Bayley, said it was “too early” to make a deal ahead of his crunch talks with Leicester University, but said: “It is a constructive idea.

    “We should look at ways to 
bring together people from York and Leicester, rather than set them against each other,” he added.

    (Source: yorkshirepost.co.uk)

    SKELETON OF THE WEEK, MARCH 18: ST. PANCRATIUS FROM WIL, SWITZERLAND Last week’s skeleton, St. Maximus in Bürglen, is one of two armored skeletons still extant in Switzerland. The other is his esteemed colleague, St. Pancratius, who arrived in the city of Wil in the 1670s, and has been gracing the local Church of St. Nicholas ever since. Taken from the Roman Catacombs, his bones were sent to St. Gallen, where they were articulated by a team of nuns, who dressed in him Roman-style costuming. His current armor, then, is not original with his display. Rather, it dates to a century later, and was commissioned on the skeleton’s centennial anniversary in Wil in order to honor and thank him for a century of service. Via Empire de la Mort

    SKELETON OF THE WEEK, MARCH 18: ST. PANCRATIUS FROM WIL, SWITZERLAND

    Last week’s skeleton, St. Maximus in Bürglen, is one of two armored skeletons still extant in Switzerland. The other is his esteemed colleague, St. Pancratius, who arrived in the city of Wil in the 1670s, and has been gracing the local Church of St. Nicholas ever since. Taken from the Roman Catacombs, his bones were sent to St. Gallen, where they were articulated by a team of nuns, who dressed in him Roman-style costuming. His current armor, then, is not original with his display. Rather, it dates to a century later, and was commissioned on the skeleton’s centennial anniversary in Wil in order to honor and thank him for a century of service.

    Via Empire de la Mort

    Richard IIIs fans say a simple stone to mark his burial place is not fit for a king After his last resting place beneath a council car park, anything would be an improvement for Richard III. But following one row over whether his remains should be reburied in Leicester or York, a new dispute emerged yesterday over how grand the tomb should be. Despite calls for an elaborate memorial, it seems the last Plantagenet king will have to make do with something much more simple within Leicester Cathedral.  The cathedral’s design brief specifies a preference for ‘a place of simple dignity’ – an engraved memorial stone. It informs architects the church authorities would like to ‘mark the place of burial with a ledger stone’ which sits flat on the floor, possibly with a ‘decorative border’.  Anything more grandiose would be ‘disproportionate’. The new monument will be placed on the spot where a memorial stone commemorating the 15th century king currently sits within the chancel. ‘While the remains of an English king are of historical significance, it should not be forgotten that Richard demonstrated both the honourable and dishonourable characteristics of human beings,’ the brief states. ‘Opportunities for prayer and reflection should focus on themes of sin and redemption, justice and peace.’ Read more here.

    Richard IIIs fans say a simple stone to mark his burial place is not fit for a king

    After his last resting place beneath a council car park, anything would be an improvement for Richard III.

    But following one row over whether his remains should be reburied in Leicester or York, a new dispute emerged yesterday over how grand the tomb should be.

    Despite calls for an elaborate memorial, it seems the last Plantagenet king will have to make do with something much more simple within Leicester Cathedral. 

    The cathedral’s design brief specifies a preference for ‘a place of simple dignity’ – an engraved memorial stone.

    It informs architects the church authorities would like to ‘mark the place of burial with a ledger stone’ which sits flat on the floor, possibly with a ‘decorative border’. 

    Anything more grandiose would be ‘disproportionate’.

    The new monument will be placed on the spot where a memorial stone commemorating the 15th century king currently sits within the chancel.

    ‘While the remains of an English king are of historical significance, it should not be forgotten that Richard demonstrated both the honourable and dishonourable characteristics of human beings,’ the brief states.

    ‘Opportunities for prayer and reflection should focus on themes of sin and redemption, justice and peace.’

    Read more here.

    ‘Medieval knight’ unearthed in Edinburgh car park dig The remains of a medieval knight or nobleman found underneath a car park are to be moved to make way for a university building. The grave and evidence of a 13th Century monastery were uncovered when archaeologists were called to an Edinburgh Old Town building site. An elaborate sandstone slab, with carvings of a Calvary Cross and ornate sword, marked the grave. The car park was cleared to build a new Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation. As part of low carbon measures for the University of Edinburgh scheme, work was being carried out in the former car park to create a rainwater harvesting tank for the new building. It was already known the area had been the site of the 18th Century Old High School, the 16th Century Royal High School and the 13th Century Blackfriars Monastery. Along with the knight or nobleman’s grave and skeleton, the excavation has revealed the exact location of the monastery, which was founded in 1230 by Alexander II (King of Scotland 1214-49) and destroyed during the Protestant Reformation in 1558. Richard Lewis, the City of Edinburgh council culture convener, said it was hoped more would be found out about the remains, but the grave had already been dated to the 13th Century. “This find has the potential to be one of the most significant and exciting archaeological discoveries in the city for many years, providing us with yet more clues as to what life was like in Medieval Edinburgh,” he added. The project’s archaeological services have been provided by Edinburgh-based Headland Archaeology. The archaeologist who found the grave, Ross Murray, had studied at the University of Edinburgh on a site only yards from where the find was made. Mr Murray said: “We obviously knew the history of the High School Yards site while we were studying here but I never imagined I would be back here to make such an incredible discovery.”

    ‘Medieval knight’ unearthed in Edinburgh car park dig

    The remains of a medieval knight or nobleman found underneath a car park are to be moved to make way for a university building.

    The grave and evidence of a 13th Century monastery were uncovered when archaeologists were called to an Edinburgh Old Town building site.

    An elaborate sandstone slab, with carvings of a Calvary Cross and ornate sword, marked the grave.

    The car park was cleared to build a new Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation.

    As part of low carbon measures for the University of Edinburgh scheme, work was being carried out in the former car park to create a rainwater harvesting tank for the new building.

    It was already known the area had been the site of the 18th Century Old High School, the 16th Century Royal High School and the 13th Century Blackfriars Monastery.

    Along with the knight or nobleman’s grave and skeleton, the excavation has revealed the exact location of the monastery, which was founded in 1230 by Alexander II (King of Scotland 1214-49) and destroyed during the Protestant Reformation in 1558.

    Richard Lewis, the City of Edinburgh council culture convener, said it was hoped more would be found out about the remains, but the grave had already been dated to the 13th Century.

    “This find has the potential to be one of the most significant and exciting archaeological discoveries in the city for many years, providing us with yet more clues as to what life was like in Medieval Edinburgh,” he added.

    The project’s archaeological services have been provided by Edinburgh-based Headland Archaeology.

    The archaeologist who found the grave, Ross Murray, had studied at the University of Edinburgh on a site only yards from where the find was made.

    Mr Murray said: “We obviously knew the history of the High School Yards site while we were studying here but I never imagined I would be back here to make such an incredible discovery.”

    (Source: BBC)

    Call for Morse: Skeleton found in Oxford college

    It is the sort of discovery that would have had Inspector Morse grumpily downing his pint and climbing into the red Jaguar.

    An Oxford University college was cordoned off today after builders dug up a human skeleton a day after a bullet casing was also found nearby.

    The intact skeleton was found in Wadham College this morning lying in a burial position close to 400-year-old buildings, prompting staff to contact police, who in turn taped off the site of the grisly discovery as a potential crime scene.

    Concern that evidence had been found of the sort of dark deeds in picturesque academic settings that provided the Oxford’s most famous television detective with much of his caseload was increased when it was revealed that a modern bullet casing had also been dug up in close vicinity.

    But trepidation that genuine foul play had taken place at the famous college, whose current warden is appropriately the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Lord Macdonald, QC, was fading tonight after police said there were no suspicious circumstances. Thames Valley Police said it was believed the remains are at least 100 years old and the bullet casing was unconnected.

    Archaeologists were expected to arrive at Wadham on Thursday to examine the remains, which may be linked to a medieval Augustinian priory that occupied part of the site where the college now stands. A college source told The Independent: “The provisional assessment is that the bones are very old. Certainly, they appear to be so – they are very yellowed and crumbly. The contractors found the skeleton lying lengthwise as if it had been placed in a shroud or a coffin.

    “A bullet case which appeared fairly modern had also been discovered. But there was nothing to link the two. It is possible that it will turn out to be the remains of an Augustinian monk because of the priory site. It is likely the priory also had a burial ground.

    “But we have to wait for confirmation. If the archaeologists find that its 40 years old then clearly the police and their forensic experts will have to investigate.”

    The remains were discovered in the back quad of the college, adjacent to buildings designed by Sir Christopher Wren, by contractors who were building a new drain as part of a programme of improvement works.

    It is not the first time that skeletal remains have been found in the college, which was founded in 1610 by Dorothy Wadham, the daughter of Henry VIII’s secretary of state. Remains believed to have belonged to a monk have been previously dug up while a skeleton initially thought to belong to a baby were later found to be the remains of a dog.

    A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said: “We were called by contractors yesterday morning. Officers attended and there were no suspicious circumstances. It is thought it is likely to have been an old burial site.”

    Endeavour Morse would doubtless have sighed and returned to his crossword.

    PALENQUE’S RED QUEEN The skeletal remains of the so-called ‘Red Queen’, the enigmatic individual discovered at Palenque, in Mexico, are being scientifically analysed using a number of techniques. It is still unclear whether the Red Queen who died 1,300 years ago, was the wife of Pakal II or if she was a ruler of the ancient Mayan metropolis once known as Lakamha (place of the big waters). In a recent interview Lourdes Muñoz explained that before the remains of the Red Queen were returned to Palenque, in June 2012, they managed to extract a collagen sample from one of her vertebrae for further studies. Javiera Cervini, a specialist in geochemistry at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, examined the sample and was convinced that the preservation of the collagen fibres from the vertebrae was good enough to progress and attempt to extract DNA. Although it’s not the first time that the Red Queen’s remains have been subject to study, this recent investigation  is also utilising DNA mitochondrional examination to provide new information about this mysterious figure in Mayan history. The tombs of both the Red Queen and Pakal II are the largest and most elaborate of all those discovered in the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. Both have been archaeologically dated by the type of ceramic offerings found in both – to between 600 and 700 CE. Amazing picture. Read more here!

    PALENQUE’S RED QUEEN

    The skeletal remains of the so-called ‘Red Queen’, the enigmatic individual discovered at Palenque, in Mexico, are being scientifically analysed using a number of techniques.

    It is still unclear whether the Red Queen who died 1,300 years ago, was the wife of Pakal II or if she was a ruler of the ancient Mayan metropolis once known as Lakamha (place of the big waters).

    In a recent interview Lourdes Muñoz explained that before the remains of the Red Queen were returned to Palenque, in June 2012, they managed to extract a collagen sample from one of her vertebrae for further studies.

    Javiera Cervini, a specialist in geochemistry at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, examined the sample and was convinced that the preservation of the collagen fibres from the vertebrae was good enough to progress and attempt to extract DNA.

    Although it’s not the first time that the Red Queen’s remains have been subject to study, this recent investigation  is also utilising DNA mitochondrional examination to provide new information about this mysterious figure in Mayan history.

    The tombs of both the Red Queen and Pakal II are the largest and most elaborate of all those discovered in the ancient Mayan city of Palenque. Both have been archaeologically dated by the type of ceramic offerings found in both – to between 600 and 700 CE.

    Amazing picture. Read more here!