The completely restored sarcophagus of Emperor Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, (742-814) with scenes of the mythological story of Proserpina's kidnapping was displayed in Berlin's museum for antiquity and Byzantine art. (REUTERS)
Posted on 02/05/2014 7:54:21 PM PST by SunkenCiv
German scientists have announced after almost 26 years of research that the bones interred for centuries at Aachen Cathedral are likely to be those of Charlemagne.
Researchers confirmed on Wednesday evening - 1,200 years to the day since Charlemagne died - that the 94 bones and bone fragments taken from the supposed resting place of the King of the Franks and founder of what was to become the Holy Roman Empire came from a tall, thin, older man.
The team first opened the sarcophagus of the first emperor in western Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire in secret in 1988 and presented their results for the first time on Wednesday.
One of the scientists studying the remains, Professor Frank Rühli, said: "Thanks to the results from 1988 up until today, we can say with great likelihood that we are dealing with the skeleton of Charlemagne."
From studying the dimensions of the upper arm, thigh and shin bones, scientists have built up a picture of the man behind the skeleton, and it matches descriptions of Charlemagne.
At 1.84 metres (six feet), he was unusually tall for his time. The team also estimated his weight at around 78 kilograms, giving him a slim body mass index of around 23.
Previous estimates had placed his height at between 1.79 metres and 1.92 metres.
(Excerpt) Read more at thelocal.de ...
The completely restored sarcophagus of Emperor Charles the Great, or Charlemagne, (742-814) with scenes of the mythological story of Proserpina's kidnapping was displayed in Berlin's museum for antiquity and Byzantine art. (REUTERS)
Where is Holger Danske when you need him?
Yup. Only one of those in France/Germany over the last twelve centuries. I'm convinced. Excellent forensic work. Mon Beret ist auf zum dir.
Ohhh. That’s pretty. I’d plant flowers in that.
Hey, leave my ancestor’s bones alone!
They did not say if there were any cloth or metal remains.
Mine, too!
Hi Cousin!
He is my great grandfather to! 36th (twice, by Louis and Pepin, on my mother’s side), 35th (by Hiltrude DeAlsace on my mother’s side) and 33rd (by Louis on my father’s side
That old fellow? Seems they trundled him away. I'm afraid he fell asleep on the job, and that simply won't do, not in Denmark.
You too? All my data says he was my ancestor. Does that make us cousins?
Next thing you know we’ll be having a “family” reunion. :o)
I was thinking it would make a great bathtub.
You mean there’s a chance Charlemagne had fake bones inside him?
. . . or Karl der Große.
yep, distant cousins
Charlemagne is one of the five greatest men of the West.
That too!
26 years of research and the result is a resounding... “likely.” Ho-hum.
In any case, he’s still dead.
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