Objective:

To provide a detailed life history of King Richard III through multi-isotope analysis of his remains.

Approach:

• Isotope Analysis: The study involved analyzing bioapatite and collagen from Richard III's second premolar tooth, femur, and rib to reconstruct his childhood, adolescence, and later life.

Key Findings:

• Richard III moved from Fotheringay Castle in eastern England by age seven to an area with higher rainfall and older rocks, indicating a change in diet.
• His femur analysis suggested he returned to eastern England as a young adult, with a diet consistent with the highest aristocracy.
• The rib bone analysis indicated a diet rich in luxury foods, such as wildfowl and freshwater fish, and possibly increased wine consumption.

Interpretation:

The isotope analysis aligns well with documented aspects of Richard III's life, providing confidence in the findings.

Limitations:

• Isotope analysis cannot pinpoint exact locations of residence but can suggest potential areas based on isotopic signatures.
• The study does not plan further analyses on Richard III at this time.

Conclusion:

The research opens avenues for future multi-isotope and multi-tissue studies.

Sources:

• The Analytical Scientist