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So how long does it take to excavate, record and lift a skeleton?On average, given good soil conditions and experienced staff, it can be expected that2 skeletons can be excavated, recorded and lifted per day by each excavator.
Once a skeleton has been excavated and recorded it will be ready for lifting out of the ground and placing in packaging material, in order for the skeleton to be taken out of the excavation area for processing (i.e. washing and marking). In order to help the processing and assessment phases of the project run smoothly, skeletons are removed from the ground and systematically placed in plastic bags according to anatomical areas of the body.
On site, an osteoarchaeologist will be able to decide whether the remains need to beblock-lifted with the surrounding soil matrix to preserve the integrity of fragileremains (i.e. neonates, cremated bone in fragmented urns, pathological bones) orwhether bones may be lifted individually. Soil samples may be taken from the abdominal and/or chest areas of the body Samples of hair may also be taken where there is soft tissue preservation. Prior to removal, human remains need to be fully recorded in situ in order to understand their surrounding archaeological context.This will include recording any disturbances to the burial, identification of bones present, recording of the position of the body, recording the direction of the grave, noting any stratigraphic relationships with other archaeological features and also any accompanying records, such as drawings, photographs, associated finds and samplestaken.
DNAThe bones were lifted by archaeologists wearing forensic body suits in an effort to limit contamination by modern materials.DNA will be extracted from the bones and tested against descendants of Richard's family.Dr Turi King, who is leading the DNA analysis, said: "It is extremely exciting and slightly nerve-wracking."We have extracted teeth from the skull, so we have that and a femur, and we are optimistic we will get a good sample from those."The tests are expected to take about 12 weeks to complete.If their identity is confirmed, Leicester Cathedral said it would work with the Royal Household, and with the Richard III Society, to ensure the remains were treated with dignity and respect and reburied with the appropriate rites and ceremonies of the church.
As the defeated foe, Richard was given a low-key burial in the Franciscan friary of Greyfriars.This was demolished in the 1530s, but documents describing the burial site have survived.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/20205874
The reburial of remains of Richard III should not be the subject of a "finders, keepers agreement", York Outer MP Julian Sturdy has argued.York MPs are unhappy the University of Leicester, which excavated the remains, will decide where the King is re-interred, and not the government.They argue that the King wanted to be buried in York Minster, not Leicester Cathedral - the university's choice.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-21382096#
“How old are the bones found under the Greyfriars church? Clearly they can’t be any more recent than the Dissolution of 1538. But if they are earlier than 1485, then they can’t be Richard’s remains.
Forensic analysis using micro-CT
In August 2012, the University of Leicester in collaboration with the Richard III Society and Leicester City Council, began one of the most ambitious archaeological projects ever attempted: no less than a search for the lost grave of King Richard III.
the excavation uncovered not only the friary - preserved underneath a council car park - but also a battle-scarred skeleton with spinal curvature. On 4th February 2013, the University announced to the world's press that these were the remains of Richard III.
Richard III Society commissions ULAS (University of Leicester Archaeological Services) to conduct a desk-based assessment of the Greyfriars area, using old maps and documents to trace the development and use of the land. This identifies two potential areas for excavation: the Leicester City Council Social Services staff car park and the adjacent playground of the former Alderman Newton’s School. A third area, a public car park on New Street, is also potentially available.
A ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey of the three areas reveals modern utilities such as water and gas mains, plus a number of ambiguous shapes.
A ‘Written Scheme of Investigation’ is produced by Richard Buckley of ULAS with details of the size and position of two trial trenches to be excavated
Friday 14 September 2012The vulnerable archaeology is covered with a geo-permeable membrane and hand-covered with soil to protect it before the trenches are backfilled using a digger. Greyfriars is once again a car park and a disused school playground.
http://youtu.be/CpkzuIj7BMk
You Tube clip here
http://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/multimedialinks.html
The Greyfriars Project had a series of five progressive research objectives:1.Find the remains of the Franciscan
friary.2.Identify clues to the
position/orientation of the buildings.3.Within the friary, locate the church.4.Within the church, locate the choir.5.Within the choir, locate the mortal
remains of Richard III.
