Video: Medieval skeletons found in central Brussels during archaeological excavations
Archaeologists in Brussels, Belgium, recently discovered the remains of an ancient cemetery located in a busy area of the city. The remains date back to the Middle Ages. (Source: @mijnmivb via Facebook)
Recently, a skull was found in a medieval temple, and a specialist suggests that it may belong to the famous king of Europe.
Emese Gabor, a facial reconstruction expert and sculptor from Hungary, shared her findings with Fox News Digital.
The skull was discovered in the ossuary of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Gabor believes that the skull belongs to Matthias Corvinus, who was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490.
The medieval monarch known as Matthias the Just is famous for his reforms of the Hungarian army and judicial system.
The Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, now an archaeological site, served as the burial place of Hungarian kings for centuries.
Emese Gabor, a facial reconstruction specialist (pictured top left), is confident the skull belongs to Matthias Corvinus. (Emeese Gabor/ARC-heo art-REKO Studio; Getty Images)
In the 16th century, the site was attacked by the Ottomans and was destroyed by fire in 1601.
Gabor told Fox News Digital that she noticed an “exceptionally high degree of morphological similarity” between the unknown skull and the skull of Matthias Corvinus' son, János Corvinus.
“The greenish discoloration observed on the surface of the bone probably indicates the presence of a metal crown that was once worn and which left traces of oxidation.”
“The external characteristics [of the skull] are also of exceptional significance: the greenish discoloration observed on the surface of the bone probably indicates the presence of a metal crown that was once worn and which left traces of oxidation,” Gabor added.
She also noted that the skull's physical characteristics were consistent with what is known about Corvin, including his age and height.
The skull may belong to Matthias Corvinus, who reigned as king of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490. (Getty Images; Emese Gabor/ARC-heo art-REKO Studio)
“This phenomenon, along with other characteristics such as the estimated age at death (43-48 years; Matthias died at the age of 47) and the height of 172 cm, provides additional evidence and strengthens the likelihood of royal origin.”
Gabor also created plastic reconstructions of the faces of the skulls studied to help visualize their features.
Gabor compared the skull with that of Matthias Corvinus' son and found similar facial morphology. (Emese Gabor / ARC-heo art-REKO Studio)
“The comparative analysis… [was] based on detailed proportional and morphological assessments, including facial reconstruction data,” she noted.
Gabor added that the researchers plan to continue studying the skull, including full genomic and mitochondrial DNA analysis, as well as isotopic analysis, to learn more.
Gabor stressed that the discovery “could shed new light on the appearance and personality of Matthias Corvinus.” (Emese Gabor / ARC-heo art-REKO Studio)
“This study could shed new light on appearance and personality
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