CZECH REPUBLIC: Experts are using DNA testing to resolve mystery over noble occupants of the graves in Prague Castle

Record ID: 489782

  • Title: CZECH REPUBLIC: Experts are using DNA testing to resolve mystery over noble occupants of the graves in Prague Castle
  • Date: 30th July 2007
  • Summary: (CEEF) PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (JULY 27, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR OF ST. VITUS CATHEDRAL AT PRAGUE CASTLE INSIDE CATHEDRAL GRAVE OF ST. LUDMILA AND KING BRETISLAV IN THE CHAPEL
  • Embargoed: 14th August 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Czech Republic
  • Country: Czech Republic
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAEX2JIUKUVNFOMCL9UU461X60M
  • Story Text: DNA testing is being used to solve the more than thousand year old mystery over the noble occupants of graves in Prague Castle. The 19 bodies are believed to belong ot the Czech family who are considered the founders of the Bohemian kingdom who ruled the country for 400 years.
    Prague Castle, an important place for the living and a resting place for the deceased Czech kings, is a place shrouded in mystery.
    This is because historians and archaeologists, after so long, still do not have a clear understanding as to whose remains are lying inside the 9th century castle, considered one of the biggest in the world.
    The castle, together with the Historian Institute and Forensic DNA Service Company, have started a unique project which will test the DNA testing on the remains of 19 bodies inside the castle thought to belong to the Czech noble Premyslid family. The Premyslids were a Czech royal dynasty which reigned in Bohemia from the 9th century until 1306.
    Discovering the history of the castle and more importantly the remains which lie within its walls will also shed light on Czech history, said the castle's curator.
    "The history of Prague Castle is the same as the history of the whole Czech state especially at the very beginning. If we found out the exact history of Prague Castle, we would know Czech history. That's why the clarification of Prague Castle history is so important for us," said Milena Bravermanova, curator of the castle's historical collection.
    Jan Frolik, an archaeologist said the keystone to the research was Wenceslas, Duke of Bohemia.
    "Saint Wenceslas it the keystone for our research of the Premyslids, because his skeletal remains are rated as authentic," explained archaeologist Jan Frolik.
    Wenceslas' remains are said to lie in St Vitus's Church inside the castle, transferred around the year 935.
    Experts from the Forensic DNA Service are testing remains skeletons found in ordinary graves around the castle site and will also test the skeletons of eight men, six women and five children who are likely to be members of the Premyslid family.
    The most mysterious of the skeletons is nicknamed 'the warrior'. This man was buried with his sword and battle equipment and is believed to be a member of the Czech royal house.
    The project, called Archeosteon, is led by DNA forensic Daniel Vanek, who has worked on identifying genocide victims in Bosnia.
    "This is the isolated DNA," explained Vanek while holding up a vial. "This is the product which comes out from the lab at Prague Castle."
    After being kept in the specially isolated room at the castle, the sample is sent off for testing.
    Historians and archaeologists have been baffled for centuries but all that is set to change. Although the project is expected to last from three to four years, the first of the results are likely to be revealed next year.
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