Hungarian archaeologists believe they may have found the remains of King Matthias Corvinus at a national memorial site in Székesfehérvár, according to Adevarul. The potential discovery, though yet to be confirmed by DNA analysis, stirred excitement among historians and the public alike.
The focus of the discovery is a skull labeled "Individual I/10," excavated in 2002 from the site of the former Basilica of the Virgin Mary, which was once the coronation and burial place of medieval Hungarian kings. The basilica was destroyed in the early 19th century after centuries of neglect and damage, including by the Ottoman Turks.
In 2023, Gábor Emese from the Gyula László Research Center created a series of graphic reconstructions based on the skulls found at the basilica. The facial structure of Individual I/10 bore a resemblance to the skull of János Corvinus, the illegitimate but recognized son of King Matthias Corvinus. The remains of János Corvinus were previously found in Lepoglava, Croatia.
To test this theory, Emese's team built a 3D model and completed a full scientific reconstruction of the face from the skull. These data, lacking any identifying information, were sent to German forensic anthropologist Martin Trautmann for independent analysis. Trautmann agreed with Emese's assessment. "This could suggest a twin-level relationship," Trautmann noted, according to Adevarul. "However, the son of Corvinus had no known twin."
Given the royal burial site and the potential genetic connection to János Corvinus, researchers believe the most plausible candidate for Individual I/10 is King Matthias Corvinus himself. Final confirmation will depend on DNA tests. Fortunately, scientists already have genetic markers from János Corvinus and Kristóf Corvin, descendants of King Matthias Corvinus, due to previous research conducted in 2021. This provides researchers with a reference point for the next steps.
However, Hungarian officials urge caution regarding the claims. "The claims made in the press regarding the skeleton of King Matthias are not yet confirmed. The scientific verification of the hypothesis is in progress. We will be able to make a final statement after verification," the Hungarian Research Institute stated, according to Adevarul.
Matthias Corvinus, born on February 23, 1443, in Cluj-Napoca, was the second son of John Hunyadi, a Transylvanian nobleman and hero of Christendom. He ascended to the throne as King of Hungary and Croatia in 1458 at the age of 14, elected by the National Diet convened in Buda after a turbulent youth in a challenging dynastic context for the Hungarian Crown. He reigned until his death on April 6, 1490, in Vienna.
Renowned for his contributions to Hungary, Matthias Corvinus reformed the judicial system and is best known for having one of the first permanent armies in Europe. He created the Black Legion, a mercenary army composed initially of Czechs, Serbs, Slovaks, Poles, and Germans. From 1480, Hungarians were also accepted into the legion. The army, formed from approximately 28,000 fighters, was well-equipped and professional, sowing terror in Central Europe.
Matthias Corvinus expelled Ottoman invaders and was a patron of science and culture. He founded the Bibliotheca Corviniana, one of the largest collections of secular books in Europe at the time. The king defied the old nobility by promoting talent over birthright, fostering a meritocratic approach in his kingdom.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
