// Eötvös Loránd University
The skeleton was discovered in 1915 during excavations of a Dominican monastery located on Margaret Island in Budapest. Archaeologists stumbled upon the bones of a young man with clear signs of trauma. It was immediately speculated that this could be Duke Bela, who was killed in November 1272 by the order of Ban Henrik Kőszegi and his accomplices.
Initially, the remains were transferred to the Institute of Anthropology at the University of Budapest. Scientist Lajos Bartucz recorded 23 sword strikes and multiple skull injuries, concluding that the duke was attacked by several people, who continued to strike even when he was already on the ground.
In 1938, after publication, the information about the remains was forgotten, and many believed they had been lost during World War II. However, in 2018, the bones were accidentally rediscovered in a wooden box among thousands of exhibits at the Hungarian Natural History Museum.
An international research group formed in 2018, consisting of anthropologists, geneticists, and archaeologists, set out to confirm the identity of the deceased using modern technologies.
Anthropological studies showed that the buried individual was just over twenty years old. Radiocarbon dating confirmed that the remains date back to the second half of the 13th century. Analysis of dental calculus revealed that his diet included wheat, barley, fish, and shellfish.
Strontium isotope analysis indicated that the individual spent early childhood in the Vukovar and Srem region (territories of modern Croatia and Serbia) and then moved to an area corresponding to modern Budapest.
Genetic studies confirmed royal lineage. The results showed that Bela was a great-grandson of King Bela III, and his genetic connection to Saint Ladislaus matched the expected genealogical data.
The duke was found to have a significant Scandinavian genetic component (almost half of the genome), confirming his connection to the Rurik dynasty. An Eastern Mediterranean component was also identified, which may be linked to his grandmother — Maria Laskarina from the Byzantine imperial family.
Forensic anthropological analysis revealed 26 injuries sustained during life: nine on the skull and 17 on other parts of the body. The nature of the injuries indicates the involvement of three attackers who struck from the front, left, and right.
The researchers established that the duke attempted to defend himself. Two types of weapons were used during the attack — a sabre and a longsword. The depth of the cuts suggests that he was not wearing armor at the time of the attack.
The attack began with blows to the head and upper body. The duke tried to block the strikes but sustained serious injuries to his side. When he fell, the attackers delivered fatal blows to his head and face.
The number and brutality of the injuries indicate a strong emotional motivation, possibly hatred or sudden rage. At the same time, the coordinated actions of the attackers suggest premeditation.
This finding is of immense value: Bela the Mysterious, along with King Bela III, is the only confirmed representative of the Árpád dynasty whose nearly complete skeleton has survived to this day. This provides a unique opportunity to study the genetic heritage of the Árpád and Rurik dynasties.
