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New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
What did Beethoven really look like? Scientists think they finally know — and he was a bit of a grouch
Turns out Beethoven didn't just sound intense — he looked it, too. Nearly 200 years after Ludwig van Beethoven's death, scientists say they've finally pieced together what the famously moody maestro actually looked like — and let's just say he wouldn't exactly be mistaken for a people person, originally reported by the Daily Mail. 'I found the face somewhat intimidating,' admitted Cicero Moraes, a Brazilian graphics expert who used 19th-century skull photos, facial modeling, and AI to reconstruct the furrowed countenance of classical music's original bad boy. Advertisement The first-of-its-kind digital render shows the German composer just as he's often been depicted in oil paintings: scowling and brooding. 'He was indeed irritable, untidy, clumsy, rude, and misanthropic,' British conductor Mark Wigglesworth said in a blog post — though he added, 'Beethoven could be witty, caring, mischievous, generous, and kind.' So what turned the artist formerly known as Ludwig into such a legendary grouch? Experts say it may have been as much biology as biography. Advertisement 3 The groundbreaking digital mugshot shows the German maestro just like the paintings did — scowling, brooding, and looking like he just heard a wrong note. Credit: Cicero Moraes/Pen News In 2023, a groundbreaking DNA study published in Current Biology cracked open the medical mystery of Beethoven's tumultuous life — and painful death at age 56. Researchers sequenced his genome using five strands of his preserved hair and determined he likely died from liver failure caused by chronic alcohol consumption, combined with hepatitis B and a genetic predisposition for liver disease. Reportedly, the beloved composer began suffering bouts of jaundice in 1821, a symptom of liver disease, and had progressive hearing loss that left him completely deaf by his mid-40s. Advertisement 3 Was Beethoven born to brood? Scientists say his scowl may've been written in both his past — and his DNA. Getty Images 'Most people who do genetic testing for fun, including myself, will find that there is nothing wrong with them,' lead researcher Tristan Begg said. 'But in this study we had fascinating results in every branch we looked at, from disease risk to the family tree.' Indeed, Beethoven's tangled roots may have been more than musical — the study also suggested a child may have been born from an affair in his family line. Advertisement 3 In 2023, a blockbuster DNA study blew the lid off Beethoven's lifelong medical drama — and his booze-fueled death at 56. Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images As if that weren't enough, bones believed to be fragments of Beethoven's skull — long stashed in a tin marked 'Beethoven' by the descendant of a Viennese doctor — were recently donated to the Medical University of Vienna by California businessman Paul Kaufmann. 'It is extremely emotional to me to return the fragments where they belong, back to where Beethoven is buried,' Kaufmann told CNN in 2023. Moraes reconstructed Beethoven's famously intense visage — aided by old skull images and tissue-thickness data — and reinforced by a death mask made while the composer still had a pulse. 'I academically explored his genius, revealing what made him an icon of Western music,' Moraes said of his 2025 study. 'I analyzed his revolutionary creativity, resilience in composing despite deafness, intense focus, problem-solving ability, and tireless productivity, despite a challenging personality.'
New York Post
3 days ago
- Science
- New York Post
Experts solve mystery of ancient ‘mummified dragon' discovered by Japanese shogun
Researchers believe they've cracked the mystery of a mummified 'rainbow dragon' that's been sitting in a Japanese treasure house for centuries. The 'dragon' has been stashed at the Shosoin Treasure House in the historic Japanese city of Nara, according to Pen News. The remains were reportedly found by Yoshinori Ashikaga, a 15th-century shogun, in 1429. Legend states that Ashikaga cut a piece from the Ranjatai, a rare and valuable piece of agarwood, at the time of the skeleton's discovery. The shogun was visiting the Todai-ji temple in Nara at the time. Shortly after, a monk at the temple claimed to have seen 'something in the shape of a small dragon' that was dried by the sun. Ashikaga took the skeleton and preserved it. 4 The remains were reportedly found by Yoshinori Ashikaga, a 15th-century shogun, in 1429. Office of the Shosoin Treasure House 4 Researchers used X-ray technology and radiocarbon dating to date the marten back to the 11th or 12th centuries. Office of the Shosoin Treasure House But was the skeleton a dragon after all? Researchers say not quite. A recently published study said the 'dragon' was actually a female Japanese marten. The fluffy, weasel-like animal is native to central and southern Japan. 'The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus,' the study states. 4 The skeleton was found at the Todai-ji temple in Nara in 1429. Getty Images Using x-ray technology and radiocarbon dating, researchers found that the marten dated back to the 11th or 12th centuries. The Todai-ji temple underwent heavy renovations at the time, according to Pen News. Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped before it died and was mummified. Pictures show the marten missing its forelegs, making it resemble a dragon. 4 Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped before it died and was mummified. Office of the Shosoin Treasure House Legend states that rain would descend upon the treasure house every time the skeleton's repository was opened – and during the study, researchers fought heavy downpours that made traveling from Tokyo to Nara difficult. Mami Tsuru, a conservationist at the Shosoin Treasure House, told Pen News she's certain the skeleton is the same one recorded by the Todai-ji monk. 'The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period,' the expert said. Tsuru added, 'We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository.'
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Mystery of lost British treasure ship laden with priceless artefacts may finally be solved 350 years after it vanished
A BRITISH ship filled with "rare treasure" that disappeared centuries ago may finally have been discovered off the coast of Ireland. The Recovery was transporting priceless cargo from Italy to Dublin when it mysteriously sank in 1787, killing six crew members. 6 Sonar footage highlighted a piece of timber from the long lost ship Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 Its anchor was discovered 240 metres from the rudder. Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 Divers discovered a centuries-old teapot near the wreck site Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News Following decades of hunting, part of the historic vessel has been identified by divers in Wexford, southeast Ireland, after its rudder was picked up by sonar. Edmond O'Byrne, who's leading the effort, said: "At first I thought it was a torpedo, because the image would be slightly distorted on the side-scan sonar. "When we went down, it turned out to be a 20-foot-long rudder covered in copper sheet. "We've searched and, so far, nobody can tell us that there is a copper-covered rudder in existence from that time anywhere. Read more News "It could be the only one of its time. Now that really identified her." Built in Chester in 1773, the Recovery was one of a few hundred ships in the entire British merchant fleet that had their hulls covered in copper sheathing. It was used by the British navy at the time to prevent marine wildlife growing on wooden warships. The long lost rudder was discovered almost 250 metres from other parts of the ship, including an anchor and timber fittings. Most read in The Sun Artefacts such as a copper teapot and inkwells were also found nearby. Its final location may shed some light on the final moments of the Recovery, which is believed to have been pulled apart in shallow water. Inside the San José shipwreck with £13billion worth of lost treasures trapped underwater The captain and his two sons were among the crew members who tragically perished. Edmond added: "We reckon when she came around Carnsore Point, she came into shallower water, and pulled the rudder and part of the stern off. "And then the ship was at the mercy of the sea." But he believes that the lost antiques, which include bronze and marble artworks, are in a good condition despite sitting roughly 20 metres beneath the surface. The Irishman said: "There could be something in very good condition. "Because if they had to journey some distance on land to get to the port and then be loaded and then unloaded, they would have to be packed very, very well. "So there is a chance that something would survive." Some of the pieces of art on the ship had been collected by the Earl of Charlemont during a nine-year tour of Europe. "Ireland's wealthiest banker" John La Touche also owned some of the expensive materials stored on the boat. The true value of the cargo is unknown. Amorino, another statue commissioned by the banker, sold for more than £500,000 in 1997. The piece was designed by the famous Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova, and is now displayed at the National Gallery of Ireland. 6 Edmond O'Byrne believes items lost in the wreckage are in good condition Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 A copper teapot from the same era as the Recovery was found at the wreck site Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 Amorino, commissioned by La Touche, sold for more than £500,000 Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Mystery of lost British treasure ship laden with priceless artefacts may finally be solved 350 years after it vanished
Divers claim they have uncovered a huge clue after decades of searching SUNKEN TREASURE Mystery of lost British treasure ship laden with priceless artefacts may finally be solved 350 years after it vanished Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRITISH ship filled with "rare treasure" that disappeared centuries ago may finally have been discovered off the coast of Ireland. The Recovery was transporting priceless cargo from Italy to Dublin when it mysteriously sank in 1787, killing six crew members. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Sonar footage highlighted a piece of timber from the long lost ship Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 Its anchor was discovered 240 metres from the rudder. Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 Divers discovered a centuries-old teapot near the wreck site Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News Following decades of hunting, part of the historic vessel has been identified by divers in Wexford, southeast Ireland, after its rudder was picked up by sonar. Edmond O'Byrne, who's leading the effort, said: "At first I thought it was a torpedo, because the image would be slightly distorted on the side-scan sonar. "When we went down, it turned out to be a 20-foot-long rudder covered in copper sheet. "We've searched and, so far, nobody can tell us that there is a copper-covered rudder in existence from that time anywhere. "It could be the only one of its time. Now that really identified her." Built in Chester in 1773, the Recovery was one of a few hundred ships in the entire British merchant fleet that had their hulls covered in copper sheathing. It was used by the British navy at the time to prevent marine wildlife growing on wooden warships. The long lost rudder was discovered almost 250 metres from other parts of the ship, including an anchor and timber fittings. Artefacts such as a copper teapot and inkwells were also found nearby. Its final location may shed some light on the final moments of the Recovery, which is believed to have been pulled apart in shallow water. Inside the San José shipwreck with £13billion worth of lost treasures trapped underwater The captain and his two sons were among the crew members who tragically perished. Edmond added: "We reckon when she came around Carnsore Point, she came into shallower water, and pulled the rudder and part of the stern off. "And then the ship was at the mercy of the sea." But he believes that the lost antiques, which include bronze and marble artworks, are in a good condition despite sitting roughly 20 metres beneath the surface. The Irishman said: "There could be something in very good condition. "Because if they had to journey some distance on land to get to the port and then be loaded and then unloaded, they would have to be packed very, very well. "So there is a chance that something would survive." Some of the pieces of art on the ship had been collected by the Earl of Charlemont during a nine-year tour of Europe. "Ireland's wealthiest banker" John La Touche also owned some of the expensive materials stored on the boat. The true value of the cargo is unknown. Amorino, another statue commissioned by the banker, sold for more than £500,000 in 1997. The piece was designed by the famous Italian sculptor, Antonio Canova, and is now displayed at the National Gallery of Ireland. 6 Edmond O'Byrne believes items lost in the wreckage are in good condition Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News 6 A copper teapot from the same era as the Recovery was found at the wreck site Credit: Credit: Edmond O'Byrne/Pen News
Fox News
4 days ago
- Science
- Fox News
Experts solve mystery of ancient 'mummified dragon' discovered by Japanese shogun
Researchers believe they've cracked the mystery of a mummified "rainbow dragon" that's been sitting in a Japanese treasure house for centuries. The "dragon" has been stashed at the Shosoin Treasure House in the historic Japanese city of Nara, according to Pen News. The remains were reportedly found by Yoshinori Ashikaga, a 15th-century shogun, in 1429. Legend states that Ashikaga cut a piece from the Ranjatai, a rare and valuable piece of agarwood, at the time of the skeleton's discovery. The shogun was visiting the Todai-ji temple in Nara at the time. Shortly after, a monk at the temple claimed to have seen "something in the shape of a small dragon" that was dried by the sun. Ashikaga took the skeleton and preserved it. But was the skeleton a dragon after all? Researchers say not quite. A recently published study said the "dragon" was actually a female Japanese marten. The fluffy, weasel-like animal is native to central and southern Japan. "The two premolars are clearly visible, and this characteristic indicates that it is a species of the Martes genus," the study states. Using x-ray technology and radiocarbon dating, researchers found that the marten dated back to the 11th or 12th centuries. The Todai-ji temple underwent heavy renovations at the time, according to Pen News. Experts believe the animal entered the building and was trapped before it died and was mummified. Pictures show the marten missing its forelegs, making it resemble a dragon. Legend states that rain would descend upon the treasure house every time the skeleton's repository was opened – and during the study, researchers fought heavy downpours that made traveling from Tokyo to Nara difficult. Mami Tsuru, a conservationist at the Shosoin Treasure House, told Pen News she's certain the skeleton is the same one recorded by the Todai-ji monk. "The age determination has significantly increased the possibility that the mummy is the sun-dried dragon-looking object recorded in the document from the Muromachi Period," the expert said. Tsuru added, "We believe this is a good example of how Shosoin has protected not only beautiful items, but also all the items inside the repository."
