On Thursday, researchers identified the remains of 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus by comparing the DNA from a hair follicle found in one of his original books to the remains they found.
This discovery can finally put an end to speculations of the final resting place of the once priest/astronomer, who developed the idea that the Sun, not Earth, was at the center of the galaxy.
Furthermore, forensic technology has contructed an image from the remains of the skeleton that was found. The forensic image and self portraits are incredibly similar in which both correctly depict Copernicus' broken nose and a scar above his left eye. The remains were found in a Roman Catholic Church in Poland in an unmarked burial area.
What do you think should be done with the remains? Do you think DNA and Forensic technology are reliable even for objects from the 1500s? Is there a chance its not even Copernicus?
Copernicus...what a beast. I think that our technology is pretty reliable. I don't really understand why they were searching for his remains, but definitely not bothered by it. There could be an exhibit of his discoveries as a way to educate.
I'm pretty confident in our technology, it probably is him. I wish they could just put him back where they found him, since he's been there for a few hundred years, but I don't think it would be long before someone stole his remains. So I don't really know what should be done with the body.
this is pretty awesome, and one of the few reasons i like technology. im thinkin they'll put him up in a few museums as a tour or something and then he'll probably lay somewhere in a huge museum in london. thats what always happens.
I don't think parading around 500 year old skeletal remains would be very appealing. He's not going to be wrapped up like a mummy or anything. I like the idea of the memorial or tomb.