Skull discovered in Hungarian church may be legendary medieval King Matthias Corvinus'
Forget Yorick. Alas, poor Matthias!
A skull unearthed in a medieval Hungarian church two decades ago may belong to legendary King Matthias Corvinus, who ruled the country for more than 30 years and was known for his support of the sciences and arts, experts claim.
Emese Gábor, a facial reconstruction specialist and portrait sculptor based in Hungary, told Fox News Digital that the potentially royal skull was discovered in the ossuary portion of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Székesfehérvár.
The remains were first discovered in 2002, the Independent reported.
4 Like father, like son: Emese Gábor compared the skull of Matthias Corvinus' son, Janos, to the newly discovered remains believed to be the legendary Hungarian king.
Gábor Emese/Facial reconstruction arcrekonstrukció
In an attempt to confirm her hypothesis, Gábor compared the newly discovered skull to that of Corvinus' illegitimate son, Janos.
His remains had previously been discovered in Croatia, the Independent said.
What Gábor found led her to believe that the find is indeed that of King Matthias Corvinus, 'a friend of the muses,' according to Britannica, who was one of the first European leaders to welcome the Renaissance.
4 Known as Matthias the Just, King Corvinus ruled Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490.
Bridgeman via Getty Images
Gábor told Fox News Digital that she discovered an 'exceptionally high degree of morphological similarity' between the two skulls.
She created plastic facial reconstructions of the examined skulls in the hopes of helping to tease out the facial features of the long-lost remains.
4 Emese Gábor, a facial reconstruction specialist and portrait sculptor based in Hungary, with the plastic facial reconstructions of the examined skulls she's made.
Gábor Emese/Facial reconstruction arcrekonstrukció
4 The skull also conforms to what's known about Corvinus, down to his age and height, Gábor said.
Gábor Emese/Facial reconstruction arcrekonstrukció
'[The skull's] external characteristics are also of exceptional importance: the greenish discoloration observed on the bone surface likely indicates the presence of a metal crown once worn, which left traces through oxidation,' Gábor explained.
The skull also conforms to what's known about Corvinus, down to his age and height, she told the outlet.
'This phenomenon, along with other features — such as the estimated age at death (43–48 years; Mátyás died at age 47) and the body height of 172 cm — provide further support and reinforce the possibility of royal origin.'
Hungarian officials were quick to point out that the claims about King Matthias 'are not yet confirmed,' with the Institute of Hungarian Research telling Archaeology Mag that 'scientific verification of the hypothesis is ongoing. We will be able to make a final statement after the verification.'
Known as Matthias the Just, Corvinus ruled as king of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to 1490 and earned his moniker by creating a standing army, altering tax codes to be fairer and ushering in judicial reforms.
Matthias the Just founded the Bibliotheca Corviniana, which was recognized in 2005 as a UNESCO site. Aside from the Vatican, it holds the greatest collection of books in Europe in the Renaissance period.
'One of the deepest concerns of King Mathias was the development of a library: he strove for a collection, where the whole body of knowledge of the ancient and modern world would be available,' Pal Engel, member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, told UNESCO.
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The light bulb also led to the establishment of electrical grids powering homes and businesses. Contemporary designs like LEDs have made lighting more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Additional Insights: Early Developments: Edison and other inventors like Joseph Swan made key breakthroughs. Cultural Impact: Allowed activities to continue past sunset and enhanced public safety. Energy Efficiency: LEDs and CFLs are reducing global energy usage. Worldwide Adoption: Became a universal standard in households and commercial spaces. Environmental Impact: Ongoing push for sustainable lighting to cut electricity consumption. 13. The Automobile (1885) Invented by Karl Benz in 1885, the automobile revolutionized transportation, allowing personal mobility on an unprecedented scale. People could travel long distances rapidly, reshaping urban design and fueling suburban growth. The global adoption of cars propelled trade and commerce, but also led to environmental concerns tied to fossil fuel consumption. Innovations like electric and hybrid vehicles continue to shape the industry's future. Additional Insights: Assembly Line: Henry Ford's production methods made cars affordable for the masses. Economic Growth: The auto industry is a massive global employer and economic driver. Environmental Challenges: Emissions drive the push toward electric and alternative-fuel vehicles. Suburbanization: Cars enabled the rise of suburbs and changed city infrastructures. Future Innovations: Autonomous vehicles promise another revolution in transportation. 14. The Radio (1890s) Radio transformed communication by transmitting sound over long distances through electromagnetic waves. First demonstrated in the 1890s by innovators like Guglielmo Marconi and Nikola Tesla, it became wildly popular in the early 20th century for news, music, and entertainment. Radio gave rise to shared cultural experiences and played an influential role in shaping public opinion, especially during significant historical events. Additional Insights: First Broadcast: Marconi's successful transmission in 1901 was a landmark in wireless communication. Cultural Influence: Radio dramas, music, and news broadcasts became staples of daily life. Global Reach: Served as a vital communication method for people in remote areas. Evolution of Radio: FM radio and digital broadcasting expanded the medium's range and quality. Media Convergence: Online streaming and podcasts continue to adapt radio for the digital era. 15. The Camera (Early 19th Century) The invention of the camera revolutionized how we capture memories, document events, and record history. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first permanent photograph in 1826, and camera technology has evolved continuously since then—from bulky film cameras to compact digital devices. Photography has greatly impacted art, journalism, and personal expression, enabling people to preserve and share moments in real time. Additional Insights: First Photograph: Taken by Niépce in 1826, marking the birth of modern photography. Cultural Impact: Influenced visual art, media, and public perception. Technological Progress: Digital cameras and smartphone integration have made photography ubiquitous. Social Media: Photos are at the heart of social platforms, fostering global visual storytelling. Historical Documentation: Cameras have captured landmark events, shaping our collective memory. Conclusion on Key Inventions These 15 inventions have fundamentally shaped human civilization, influencing everything from how we communicate and travel to how we work and live. Each marks a leap forward in human ingenuity that addressed critical needs and created opportunities for continued progress. Their impact reverberates in modern industries, improving the quality of life for countless people around the world. As we look to the future, these foundational innovations serve as a springboard for even more groundbreaking developments. The spirit of creativity and the relentless drive to overcome global challenges will fuel progress, bringing about new inventions that will once again transform the world in ways we can only imagine. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies, Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
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