William Atkins
Sunday, 23 November 2008 21:17
Science -
Biology
Page 1 of 3
Nicolaus Copernicus is considered the first scientist to have removed the Earth from the center of the solar system (universe at the time) and replaced it with the Sun. Now, 465 years later, forensic scientists confirm the location of Copernicus’ grave (and his remains) with hair DNA and computer reconstruction of his skull.
Copernicus, now considered the father of modern astronomy, was long thought to be buried in the 14th-century
Frombork Cathedral, in northern Poland, because he served as a canon within the religious structure, but his remains had never been found—at least, until now.
However, in August 2005, after an approximate two-year search, his remains were tentatively thought to have been found under the floor tiles of the cathedral (near the main Holy Cross altar—“the fourth altar on the right-hand side”) by Polish archaeologist Jerzy Gassowski and his team of archeologists.
Gassowski is the head of the
Archaeology and Anthropology Institute in Pultusk, Poland.
then, forensic expert Dariusz Zajdel and his forensic team at the Central Forensics Laboratory (Poland’s National Police Headquarters) examined the skull.
Its experts used computer graphics and DNA evidence to create a facial reconstruction of an older man who resembled several portraits of the young Copernicus, including a scar above his right eyebrow.
Gassowski stated,
"In the two years of work, under extremely difficult conditions — amid thousands of visitors, with earth shifting under the heavy pounding of the organ music — we managed to locate the grave, which was badly damaged.” [Associated Press: “
Scientists say Copernicus' remains, grave found”
After this analysis was performed a Swedish team provided additional information. Please read on.
