There are mysteries that go through the centuries. That of the place where the body of genius Leonardo da Vinci is based is of that caliber. If you go to the Château d’Amboise, which overlooks the Loire, no doubt that we will present your last home. Died in 1519, Léonard had, according to his last wishes, asked to be buried in the Saint-Florentin collegiate church, within this famous castle.
Problem, in 1808, said college was demolished. The stones are sold, and the bones are scattered, then re-buried. Others, more deeply buried, are not affected. Their discovery then gives way to all speculation.
In 1863, a skeleton discovered could correspond to Léonard: it measures approximately 1 meter 77, an unusual size for the time, corresponds to a secular, presents remains of white beard, and was surrounded by disturbing elements, like a shield with the effigy of François Ier or engraved fragments evoking its name. Enough to close the case? The bones were in any case transferred to Paris, before being re-entered in 1874 in the Saint-Hubert chapel, in Amboise.
However, a doubt persists: the authenticity of these remains has never been scientifically proven. Until today?
Master’s DNA
To decide, scientists need to match DNA found on the bones attributed to Leonardo da Vinci with … his living parents. Problem, the painter Toscan did not have children. What give a hard time to a team of researchers who embarked on a crazy project: to trace the family tree of the master of the Mona Lisa. And they are already holding a track.
The team retraced the paternal line of Léonardo da Vinci, starting from his father, the notary Ser Piero, and a half-brother, to go back to … 15 generations back, until 1331! They thus identified 15 male descendants still alive, potentially sharing a genetic heritage with Léonard via the Y chromosome (which is transmitted almost unchanged from father to son, even over several centuries).
Soon the end of the mystery?
Six of these descendants have already been subjected to DNA tests. As a result, their chromosomes contain identical segments, proving genetic continuity since the Middle Ages! These profiles could soon be compared to the fragments found in another family tomb, which would be attributed to his grandfather or several half-brothers in Léonard.
And now? If the chromosome y of bone fragments corresponds to that of living men, this will confirm not only the validity of historical documents on the line of Leonard, but also, potentially, the authenticity of the alleged remains of the artist in Amboise, enthuses the Popular Mechanics media.
When in doubt, the team does not intend to stop in such a good way and already explores other tracks. Researchers wish to analyze works of art, books and objects attributed to Léonard, in search of organic traces.
Pilot studies have already made it possible to extract biological material from certain old works, as well as to analyze the microbial flora present on these objects. These organic fingerprints could be compared to the future Reconstituted DNA of Léonard to authenticate the origin of certain collectors. A mystery soon resolved?
