Embark on a fascinating journey through time and science in this hour-long lecture from The Royal Institution. Explore the groundbreaking work of geneticist Turi King and her team as they unravel the 500-year-old mystery surrounding the remains of King Richard III. Delve into the excavation process, historical context, and cutting-edge genetic techniques used to identify the skeleton found beneath a Leicester parking lot. Learn about Richard III's life, his physical characteristics, and the fatal injuries that led to his demise. Discover the intricate process of finding living relatives and the DNA analysis that confirmed the king's identity. Gain insights into questions of paternity, genetic reconstruction for facial features, and even uncover some of Richard III's surprising celebrity descendants. This captivating presentation offers a unique blend of history, archaeology, and modern genetics, demonstrating how science can shed light on centuries-old mysteries.
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
How the excavation came to be
Who was Richard III?
Why Leicester?
What would his skeleton look like?
The dig
Identifying the skeleton
Richard III's scoliosis doppelgänger
Identifying the fatal blow
Finding a living relative
The DNA results that confirmed Richard III's identity
A question of paternity
Using genetics to give Richard III a makeover
Richard III's celebrity descendants
Taught by
The Royal Institution
