Medieval Mummy

Tue., Nov. 3, 1998

Scientists poked into the tomb of one of the Holy Roman Empire emperors Monday, hoping to learn how well the mummified medieval remains are holding up. Scientists inserted tiny video cameras and other sterile equipment into King Frederick II’s marble sarcophagus in the Palermo cathedral in Sicily. They plan to take DNA, tissue, bone and cloth samples and do other research on the contents of the tomb. Frederick II was crowned Holy Roman emperor in 1220, ruling until his death in 1250 at the age of 55. He led several crusades, capturing Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Nazareth, and battled for years with the popes about authority over his empire.

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Medieval Mummy

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

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