Multidisciplinary Identification of the Controversial Freedom Fighter Jörg Jenatsch, Assassinated 1639 in Chur, Switzerland.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_E9B94E45F21A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
Multidisciplinary Identification of the Controversial Freedom Fighter Jörg Jenatsch, Assassinated 1639 in Chur, Switzerland.
Journal
PloS one
Author(s)
Haeusler M., Haas C., Lösch S., Moghaddam N., Villa I.M., Walsh S., Kayser M., Seiler R., Ruehli F., Janosa M., Papageorgopoulou C.
ISSN
1932-6203 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1932-6203
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2016
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
11
Number
12
Pages
e0168014
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Jörg Jenatsch, a leading freedom fighter during the Thirty Year's War in Graubünden, Switzerland, was assassinated on carnival 1639. Jenatsch's controversial biography and the unclear circumstances of his death inspired the formation of various legends, novels and films. In 1959, a skeleton discovered in the cathedral of Chur with remains of wealthy baroque clothing was tentatively attributed to Jenatsch. Here, we reassess the skeleton based on a new exhumation. Our multidisciplinary analysis and the head injuries are consistent with reports of the eyewitnesses of the crime, demonstrating that Jenatsch was killed from behind with a semi-sharp implement, supposedly an axe, as well as by a blow with a broad-surfaced object. Moreover, our facial reconstruction closely matches an oil portrait of Jenatsch, and the HIrisPlex system applied to DNA-extracts from the femoral bone reveals brown eye and dark brown hair colour, which coincides well with the portrait, too. Finally, isotope analysis of the femoral bone and a molar support Jenatsch's high social status, luxury diet and a high mobility in the last decade of his life. This multidisciplinary approach thus reinforces personal identification and provides additional insight into the life of this important historic person beyond written resources.

Keywords
Adult, DNA/analysis, Exhumation, Eye Color, Face, Female, Forensic Anthropology, Hair Color, Homicide, Humans, Isotopes/analysis, Male, Skull/injuries, Switzerland, Young Adult
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
31/10/2017 11:41
Last modification date
20/08/2019 17:12
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