For over 750 years, the final resting place of Duke Béla of Macsó, a grandson of a Hungarian king, was one of history's quiet mysteries. Now, a cold case that has lingered since the Middle Ages has finally been solved. A multidisciplinary team from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) and their international partners has conclusively identified a set of skeletal remains unearthed in Budapest, closing the book on the fate of the 13th‑century nobleman who met a violent end in 1272.
So, how did researchers confirm the identity of a man lost to time? The investigation reads like a modern detective story, blending cutting-edge genetics with ancient clues.
The DNA Blueprint: Tracing a Royal Bloodline
The first and most crucial step was a full genetic analysis. Scientists at the Institute of Archaeogenomics in Budapest sequenced the skeleton's entire genome, paying special attention to the Y chromosome to rebuild the paternal lineage.
The results were a perfect match for the historical records of Béla's family. The DNA told a story of mixed ancestry, with nearly half of his genetic profile pointing to northern Europe, specifically aligning with the Rurikid dynasty that ruled Kievan Rus'. Another significant portion traced back to the Eastern Mediterranean, fitting the known lineage of his grandmother, Maria Laskarina.
The final, definitive piece of genetic evidence came from a comparison with recently compiled Rurikid genetic data from Russia. The paternal line was an exact match, placing the skeleton precisely where medieval chronicles said Duke Béla belonged: as a direct descendant of King Béla III.
The Diet Dilemma and a Clue from the Teeth
While genetics confirmed who he was, they couldn't fully tell the story of how he lived and died. This is where radiocarbon dating and isotopic analysis came in. Initially, the carbon dating results were confusing, suggesting the remains were older than expected.
The mystery was solved by looking at the duke's diet. High levels of carbon and nitrogen indicated a diet rich in freshwater fish. As the researchers explain in their full report, this kind of diet can create a "reservoir effect," throwing off radiocarbon dating and making remains appear centuries older.
Further analysis of strontium isotopes in his teeth enamel revealed his geographical history, confirming he spent his early childhood in the Vukovar and Syrmia region (in modern-day Croatia and Serbia) before moving to the Budapest area later in life. Even microscopic particles of milled wheat and barley trapped in his dental plaque supported the narrative of a wealthy, grain-based diet befitting his noble status.
A Violent End: The Forensic Story Told by Bones
The skeleton itself bore silent but stark witness to the duke's brutal demise. Forensic specialists meticulously mapped twenty-six separate perimortem wounds—injuries that occurred at or around the time of death.
The violence was overwhelming. Nine sharp-force trauma wounds were concentrated on his head, while the rest were slashing and chopping marks across his torso and limbs. The pattern of injuries suggests he was set upon by multiple assailants wielding different weapons. Tellingly, defensive wounds on his arms and hands indicate a frantic, final struggle before he was overpowered.
This grim forensic evidence perfectly corroborates long-standing historical accounts of a politically motivated ambush carried out by several men.
The identification of Duke Béla's remains is a landmark achievement. Complete skeletons from the Árpád era are exceptionally rare, making this find incredibly valuable. By weaving together threads from genetics, chemistry, and forensic science, researchers have not only put a name to a skeleton but have also brought a vivid and tragic chapter of medieval history back to life.