Liska András - Szatmári Imre: Sötét idők rejtélyei. 6-11. századi régészeti emlékek a Kárpát-medencében és környékén - Tempora Obscura 3. (Békéscsaba, 2012)

Mende Balázs Gusztáv: How not to identify kings of the Árpád Dynasty?

MENDE BALAZS GUSZTÁV

BALÁZS GUSZTÁV MENDE

HOW NOT TO IDENTIFY KINGS OF THE ARP AD DYNASTY?

(Summary)

The fate of the royal tombs of Székesfehérvár has been in the centre of scholarly attention for a long time. In the recent years we can observe an increasing claim for new examinations using the modern methods of molecular genetics. This could re-evaluate the remains of our monarchs buried in the basilica. The present study attempts to summarise information necessary before we start such examinations and difficulties connected with it. Without the knowledge and preliminary analysis of these information, research, even the one applying the most modern technologies, can lead to bad conclusions and mistaken results. The article emphasises that as a starting point for the determination of genetic profile of the Árpád Dynasty we need bone remains from authentically excavated tombs generally accepted as royal ones. Primarily, genetic examination of the skeleton identified as belonging to Béla III is appropriate for this aim, but not the bone remains of uncertain age and origin and the relics of the Árpáds. There is hope for the determination of the father’s genetic profile if we keep the rules of archaeogenetic sampling and technologic procedures. In this way, the rest of the remains not connected with monarchs also can be examined.

Mende Balázs Gusztáv

MTA Bölcsészettudományi Kutatóközpont Régészeti Intézet 1014 Budapest, Úri u. 49. mende. balazs@btk. mta. hu

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