The skull relic of Saint Margaret of Árpád-házi can be identified by a Hungarian researcher — Civilek Info

Miklós Kásler, Director General of the Hungarian Research Institute, recalled at the press conference: Cardinal Péter Erdő asked the archaeogenetic group of the Institute of Oncology to examine the alleged skull of Saint Margaret of Árpád -házi in 2018.

It was then that the first archaeological samples and analyzes of the relic of the skull of Saint Margaret and the skeleton of Duke Béla Macsó took place. However, the technical possibilities of the time and the modifications of the DNA do not allow us to state with 100% certainty that this is indeed the main relic of Saint Margaret, underlined Miklós Kásler.

He pointed out: However, during the examination of Prince Béla Macsói – who was the son of Saint Margaret's sister Anna – this year, results were obtained which make the identification of Saint Margaret's skull very likely. However, there are still some additional tests to be carried out before this can be said with complete certainty, he added.

Gábor Bence Kovács, scientific assistant at the MKI Archaeological Research Center, recalled: for the first time in 2020, the Archaeological Research Center of the Hungarian Research Institute examined the DNA of the attributed head and skull relic to Saint Marguerite. Mitochondrial analyzes followed, he added.

In archaeogenetics, to identify someone you need a reference individual, in 2020 the choice fell on Prince Béla Macsói, but at that time, due to technical limitations resulting from the small quantity and poor quality DNA, this research has not been carried out. yet achieved – explained Gábor Bence Kovács.

He added that a few months ago, however, samples were successfully taken from the remains of Prince Béla Macsó and were able to perform a whole genome analysis.

When they looked at the unique mutations in the so-called maternal or mitochondrial haplogroups of the two samples, they saw that the two people were probably related to each other, so it can be assumed that the relic of Saint Margaret is authentic, a Gabor said. Bence Kovacs.

He emphasized: For accurate identification, the next step is for researchers to carry out genome enrichment of the Szent Margit sample, in order to be able to determine the genetic distances on the family tree, as well as the degrees of kinship.

Saint Margaret IV. Daughter of King Béla and Mária Laszkarisz, IV. The grandson of Béla and Mária Laszkarisz is Prince Béla of Macsó, so the mitochondria must be identical, the researcher explained.

Comprehensive genomic tests will be carried out, from which relationships and genetic distances will be calculated, which will probably make it possible to determine whether the relic of Saint Margaret is really authentic, emphasized Gábor Bence Kovács.

This research is important not only because the MKI can identify another saint, but also because the main goal of the institute is to identify as many people as possible from the Árpád family, the researcher emphasized.

MTI

Photo: Zita Merényi/Hungarian Courier