Richard III find was one of most important moments of decade
THE discovery and identification of King Richard III’s remains have been named among the decade’s “extraordinary archaeological discoveries”.
Historic England listed the discovery as one of the most important in the country.
It has also been described as one of the top 10 discoveries of the decade by The New Scientist.
The king’s skeleton was found during an archaeological excavation at Greyfriars car park in Leicester in 2012 and was confirmed as the remains of the English King killed in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.
Experts from the University of Leicester analysed DNA from the bones and they matched that of relatives of the monarch’s family.
His remains were reburied 530 years after this death at Leicester Cathedral in 2015.
Professor Turi King, lecturer in genetics and archaeology at the university – who was instrumental in the DNA research – said: “We are so proud to be part of this incredible discovery and identification of the remains of King Richard III.
“It was a tremendous team effort not only by staff at the University of Leicester but also members of the Richard III Society, Leicester City Council and others.
“Richard III was one of only a handful of English Monarchs whose remains were lost.
“This project solved that mystery and shed new light on the life, and death, of one this country’s most famous kings.”
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “This has been a truly remarkable decade of landmark archaeological discoveries.
“The past us.
“Over the past ten years archaeologists have learned where Richard III was laid to rest, about what kind of food our Bronze Age ancestors on the Fens ate and how medieval villagers in Yorkshire mutilated corpses to prevent them rising from the dead. There is always more to learn and I look forward to the next 10 years of amazing discoveries.”
Other discoveries included a Must Farm Bronze Age settlement, in Peterborough – where timber never ceases to surprise roundhouses, textiles and a wheel were discovered – and the remains of the Curtain, the first successful Elizabethan playhouse built in London
It is thought Shakespeare’s Hamlet was premiered there in 1596.
The earliest rabbit bone found in Britain also made the list.
Previously thought to be a medieval introduction, the bunny was found at Fishbourne Roman Palace in Sussex and dated from the 1st century AD.
The bone was analysed by scientists from Leicester, Oxford and Exeter.
Professor Naomi Sykes, from the University of Exeter, said: “This is a tremendously exciting discovery and this very early rabbit is already revealing new insights into the history of Easter traditions.
“This find will change how we interpret Roman remains and highlights that new information awaits discovery in museum collections.”