London, Feb 5 (IANS/EFE): DNA analysis has allowed scientists to confirm that the human remains found in September beneath a parking lot in central England belong to King Richard III, who died in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field, the University of Leicester announced Monday.
"(B)eyond reasonable doubt the individual exhumed at Grey Friars in September 2012 is indeed Richard III," university lead archaeologist Richard Buckley said at a press conference.
Examination of the skeleton, which had 10 battle wounds, had already provided "highly convincing" evidence that it could be that of the last English monarch to die in battle, but the DNA analysis finally confirmed the discovery.
Scientists collected genetic material from the teeth and the femur of the skeleton and compared the DNA with that of Michael Ibsen - a descendent of Richard's sister, Anne of York.
Excavation work in the parking lot began late last August with the aim of finding the grave of the monarch, who the historical record showed had been buried in the vicinity.
The investigation was headed by the university, the Leicester city government and the Richard III Society.
The victor of Bosworth Field, Henry Tudor, became King Henry VII.
The skeleton found in early September was well-preserved and almost complete, and the individual in question had curvature of the spine indicating that he had suffered from sclerosis, a fact that coincides with the historical descriptions of the monarch.