WAS HE MURDERED OR WAS HE NOT?-PART I: ANALYSES OF MERCURY IN THE REMAINS OF TYCHO BRAHE

0421801 - ÚJF 2014 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Rasmussen, K.L. - Kučera, Jan - Skytte, L. - Kameník, Jan - Havránek, Vladimír - Smolík, Jiří - Velemínský, P. - Lynnerup, N. - Brůžek, J. - Vellev, J.
WAS HE MURDERED OR WAS HE NOT?-PART I: ANALYSES OF MERCURY IN THE REMAINS OF TYCHO BRAHE.
Archaeometry. Roč. 55, č. 6 (2013), s. 1187-1195. ISSN 0003-813X. E-ISSN 1475-4754
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GBP108/12/G108; GA MŠMT(XE) LM2011019
Institutional support: RVO:67985858 ; RVO:61389005
Keywords : Tycho Brahe * mercury * murder * RNAA * CV-AAS
Subject RIV: BG - Nuclear, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Colliders; CF - Physical ; Theoretical Chemistry (UCHP-M)
Impact factor: 1.328, year: 2013

World-renowned Renaissance astronomer Tycho Brahe died on 24 October 1601, after 11 days of illness. Several conspiracy theories regarding his death have been aired, the first shortly after his death by William Shakespeare in the play Hamlet, published in 1603. A key factor in the still lively debate is whether he was administered mercuryas medicine by his own hand, or as poison by an unfriendly hand. In 2010, Brahe's grave was reopened and samples of his bones, hair, teeth and the textiles were procured and analysed. Here, we present evidence that Brahe was not administered lethal doses of mercury.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0228054