King Richard's Facial Reconstruction - a Handsome Lad

The reconstruction of the face of King Richard III has taken place and it's fascinating!

For those who haven't been following the story, a skeleton found buried under a car park in Leicester has been proven to be that of the King.  DNA and a Canadian descendant of Richard's sister were the keys to unravelling the mystery.

And now the facial reconstruction based only on the skull, has confirmed that an earlier painting of the King was indeed based on real life and not imagination.

See the story at The National Post's Meet King Richard III

It's Him!

Skull of King Richard III CREDIT: University of Leicester

University of Leicester researchers say tests on a  skeleton unearthed last year under a parking lot in Leicester prove beyond reasonable doubt that it is King Richard III who died at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, and whose remains have been missing for centuries.

And it was Canadian DNA that provided the proof. Geneticist Turi King said Michael Ibsen, a Canadian carpenter, share with the skeleton a rare strain of mitochondrial DNA.

Ibsen and a cousin who did not wish to be named, both provided DNA samples for comparison. They are proven descendants of King Richard's older sister Anne.

It's quite fascinating to think that DNA was a major factor in solving this mystery. Wouldn't it be great if the DNA companies could get the DNA results to compare the DNA of those of us who have been tested? Maybe there are more of us related to King Richard or his sister.

I've had my DNA tested through Family Tree DNA and have a sample ready to mail off to 23andMe. Have you had your DNA tested yet? You're not guaranteed to find a royal connection or even a distant cousin who can provide you with your family tree back dozens of generations but it's very interesting! 

Read more:  

 http://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/ University of Leicester

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/canadian-dna-proves-skeleton-found-in-u-k-parking-lot-is-king-richard-iii-1.1141753#ixzz2JwEosmzT CTV News

http://www.livescience.com/26814-skull-suspected-king-richard-iii.html Live Science

Researchers close to revealing results on Richard III skeleton

Researchers will reveal next month whether a skeleton found under a city centre car park is that of Yorkist King Richard III.

The University of Leicester will disclose the results of tests carried out on the remains, thought to be those of the Plantagenet King, at a press conference in the first week of February.

It's very interesting to note that DNA is being analyzed and compared with that of Michael Ibsen, a descendant of Richard III’s family. Radiocarbon tests and genealogical studies are also taking place.

The skeleton, with a metal arrow in its back and severe trauma to the skull, was exhumed from a car park behind council offices in Leicester in September during an archaeological dig. 

Read more at York Press