Miklós Kásler - Zoltán Szentirmay (szerk.): Identifying the Árpád Dynasty Skeletons Interred in the Matthias Church. Applying data from historical, archaeological, anthropological, radiological, morphological, radiocarbon dating and genetic research (Budapest, 2021)

Investigated bone samples and methods

The STR-marker investigations were conducted simultaneously in three laboratories:

1. Historical

Anthropology and Human Ecology, Johann-Friedrich- Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen,

Göttingen, Germany

(Verena Seidenberg,

Dr

Susanne Hummel)

2. National

Institute of Oncology, Pathogenetics Department, Budapest-1, Hungary (Judit Olasz,

Dr Orsolya

Csuka)

3. National

Institute of Oncology, Tumour Pathology Centre, Department of Surgical and Molecular Pathology, Budapest-2 (Dr Erzsébet Csernák, Dr Zoltán

Szentirmay)

DNA isolation

• The

template DNA rules out of the possibility of the researchers’ own DNA becoming contaminants:

• Opening

of the sarcophagi at the Matthias Church, as well as the metal and glass caskets within them and their transportation to the National Institute of Oncology occurred under sterile conditions.

• Pulverization

of the bone samples prior to DNA isolation was conducted in a special room where air could be sucked out of the room, with the researcher handling the sample wearing a special suit.

• All

genetic investigations occurred in areas already set up for the specific purpose of genetic investigations according to “good laboratory practices”.

With regards to the fact that the DNA that can be isolated from ancient bones is severely fragmented, during the DNA isolation, each laboratory took steps to optimize their methods.

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