Skull Discovered at Medieval Church May Belong to Legendary Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus

A recent discovery at a medieval church in Hungary has ignited excitement among historians and archaeologists, as a skull unearthed at the site may potentially belong to Matthias Corvinus, a renowned European king. The skull was found within the ossuary of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Székesfehérvár, a historical burial ground for Hungarian royalty.

Emese Gábor, a Hungarian facial reconstruction specialist and portrait sculptor, has been examining the skull and has stated the skull could potentially belong to Matthias Corvinus, who reigned as king of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490. Corvinus, remembered as "Matthias the Just," was a significant figure in Hungarian history. He is lauded for his extensive reforms of the Hungarian army, his introduction of judicial reforms, and his patronage of the arts and sciences, all of which greatly contributed to the development of Hungary.

The Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the skull was found, has a rich historical significance. It served as the primary burial site for Hungarian kings for numerous centuries. However, its history is also marked by periods of turbulence. In the 16th century, the basilica was raided by the Ottoman Empire, and later, in 1601, a devastating fire caused substantial damage to the structure. This historical background adds to the intrigue surrounding the newly discovered skull.

Gábor, after undertaking detailed analysis of the skull, shared her findings with Fox News Digital, focusing on the similarities between the discovered skull and that of János Corvinus, Matthias Corvinus’ son. She emphasized the existence of an exceptionally high degree of morphological similarity between the two skulls. This notable resemblance serves as a point in suggesting that the skull may indeed belong to Matthias Corvinus.

Furthermore, Gábor highlighted a distinctive characteristic observed on the bone surface of the skull. According to her, the greenish discoloration seen on the bone is likely an indication of the presence of a metal crown, which was once worn by the individual. The discoloration is believed to have been caused by oxidation of the metal over time, leaving traces on the bone surface. If further analysis verifies the presence of metal remnants, it could provide substantial evidence supporting the notion that the skull is indeed of royal origin, adding weight to the possibility that it belongs to Matthias Corvinus.

Adding to the compelling evidence, Gábor also emphasized that the physical features of the skull appear to match what is known about Matthias Corvinus, including his age at the time of death and his estimated height. Historical records indicate that Matthias Corvinus died at the age of 47. The estimated age at death based on the skull analysis falls within the range of 43 to 48 years. This alignment of estimated age at death with historical data strengthens the possibility of royal origin. Also the estimated body height of 172 cm aligns to the average heigh of men at the time.

To further enhance the analysis and facilitate visualization, Gábor created plastic facial reconstructions of the examined skulls. The reconstructions serve as a valuable tool for comparative analysis, allowing researchers to visually assess the facial features and assess the degree of similarity between the discovered skull and potential candidates like Matthias Corvinus.

Researchers intend to conduct further investigations on the skull, including comprehensive genomic and mitochondrial DNA analyses. These analyses could provide insights into the ancestry and genetic makeup of the individual to whom the skull belonged. Additionally, isotope analyses will be conducted to gather information about the person’s diet and geographic origin.

The ongoing research holds the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of Matthias Corvinus. If the skull is confirmed to be his, it could provide unique insights into his physical appearance, health, and life experiences. Moreover, the research may shed light on the historical treasures that remain hidden at Hungarian heritage sites, potentially leading to new discoveries.