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The last Medici may not have died of syphilis after all

The last Medici may not have died of syphilis after all | Archaeology News | Scoop.it

In 1743, the last member of the family that had ruled Florence for almost 300 years died a slow and painful death.

 

Historical documents suggest that Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici suffered from syphilis or breast cancer. But a first look at samples of her bone suggests that syphilis may not have killed her.

 

In 1966, the tombs of the Medici family were swamped in mud during severe flooding of Florence, which many feared had damaged the bodies. But Anna Maria Luisa's skeleton was found to be mostly intact when it was exhumed last October as part of a research collaboration between the University of Florence in Italy and the Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, Germany. The first pictures from the exhumation were released at a press briefing today.

 

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Archeologist revises read of ancient seal inscription

Archeologist revises read of ancient seal inscription | Archaeology News | Scoop.it
Scholars point out name on 6th century BCE find should be reversed.
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