Researchers have confirmed the identity of skeletal remains found over a century ago on Margaret Island in Budapest, solving a long-debated archaeological mystery and offering insight into a violent episode in medieval Hungarian history. The remains belong to Béla, Duke of Macsó, a figure connected both to the Árpád dynasty of medieval Hungary and the Rurik dynasty of Eastern Europe.
The bones were first discovered in 1915 during excavations at the ruins of a 13th-century Dominican monastery. Historical records, along with evidence of traumatic injuries, led early researchers to believe that the remains might belong to Duke Béla, who was assassinated in 1272 when he was about 25 years old. The bones were unstudied for decades, and at one point, during World War II, they were considered lost. They unexpectedly resurfaced again in 2018 in museum and university collections, prompting a new interdisciplinary investigation.
The research team brought together experts from anthropology, archaeogenetics, radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, dentistry, and historical study. Their aim was twofold: to confirm who the individual was and to reconstruct major aspects of his life, including the circumstances of his death.
Initial radiocarbon dating indicated a somewhat earlier date than was expected, but further investigation showed that this discrepancy was due to the duke’s diet. The high amount of fish and other aquatic protein he consumed in his lifetime gave rise to what is called the “freshwater reservoir effect,” which alters the chemical signatures preserved in bone. Once corrected, the dating aligned with the mid-13th century.
Further evidence came from analysis of dental tartar, which preserved thousands of microscopic food particles. These indicated regular consumption of barley and wheat products such as bread and semolina, consistent with elite medieval diets. Isotope data also showed that Béla spent his early childhood in the region of modern-day Serbia and Croatia, part of the Macsó Banat, and later relocated toward the Hungarian royal centers, in support of the known historical movements of his family.
More importantly, DNA evidence confirmed both sides of his lineage: Whole-genome analysis showed a significant genetic component linked to Scandinavian ancestry, corresponding to the Rurik line of his father’s family. Further testing confirmed he was a direct descendant of King Béla III, corresponding to the lineage recorded for Duke Béla of Macsó. This makes him one of only a few medieval Hungarian nobles whose remains have been genetically identified.
The research also reconstructed the last moments of the duke. Forensic analysis revealed 26 sharp-force injuries inflicted at the time of death. The nature of the wounds showed that he had been attacked by at least three assailants at the same time, with different types of swords. The duke tried to defend himself, but after he fell, the attackers continued their assault, delivering fatal blows to his head and face. The pattern shows both planning and intense personal animosity, in line with chronicles that describe his killing as a politically motivated assassination.
The findings provide a rare glimpse into the lives and internal conflicts of medieval European ruling families, bringing new clarity to an event recorded more than 700 years ago.
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