In The News

Scientists find lost remains of Spanish writer

Scientists find lost remains of Spanish writer

THE long-lost remains of the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes have been found by forensic scientists in Madrid.

Best known for his book, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, Cervantes passed away in 1616, aged 68, and was buried in the Convent of The Barefoot Trinitarians in Madrid. However, his remains were mislaid in the late 17th Century after they were moved during rebuilding work at the convent.

Now experts working at the convent say they have rediscovered the remains during excavation work on a forgotten crypt. In a niche, the forensic scientists discovered the bones of a number of adults. The discovery appears to match records which had stated the author had been buried along with several other people, including his wife.

However, it may prove very difficult to identity which of the remains are those of the author. “The remains are in a bad state of conservation and do not allow us to do an individual identification of Miguel de Cervantes,” said scientist Almudena Garcia Rubio. But he does not doubt the importance of the find: “We are sure what the historical sources say is the burial of Miguel de Cervantes and the other people buried with him is what we have found.”

DNA tests will now be carried out in an effort to clearly identify which of the remains are those of Cervantes. Plans are already being drawn up for a new tomb to be built at the convent so that he can be reburied with “full honours”.

Although Cervantes is regarded as Spain’s Prince of Letters he died in a state of poverty.

He had published Don Quixote in two parts, in 1605 and 1615. The story about a man who sets out in search of adventure with his faithful squire Sancho Panza, also includes the warning: “There is a remedy for all things but death, which will be sure to lay us flat some time or other”.

View previous In the News items Families are urged to back organ donation requests, Thousand of skeletons being exhumed from burial ground , Tributes are paid to former Ulster Unionist leader James Molyneaux, More people are urged to back organ donation, More people are urged to make funeral plans, Campaign for memorial to forgotten footballer, Oldest person in UK passes away, Sixties pop star Dozy passes away, Actor and singer Lance Percival passes away, Tributes are paid to war veteran Bernard Jordan, Paisley family reveal how rosebud brought them much pleasure, MP warns of problems caused by funeral poverty, Funeral to take place of cancer campaigner Una Crudden, Actress Joanna Dunham passes away, Funeral takes place of rugby legend Jack Kyle, Tributes are paid to crime writer P D James, Join the donor register and help save lives, Funeral takes place of Brendan Megraw, Guitarist Manitas de Plata passes away, Family funeral planned for Brendan Megraw, Tributes are paid to American poet Galway Kinnell, Actress Marcia Strassman passes away, Tributes have been paid to the singer Alvin Stardust, Renowned newspaper editor Ben Bradlee passes away, Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam passes away , Tributes are paid to actress Lynda Bellingham, Hundreds attend Memorial Service for Ian Paisley, Tributes are paid to actress Marian Seldes, Cancer remains top cause of death, Country singer George Hamilton IV passes away, Songwriter Bob Crewe passes away, Funeral takes place of Ian Paisley, Tributes are paid to Lord Attenborough, Albert Reynolds is given State Funeral, Tributes are paid to broadcaster Gerry Anderson, Tributes are paid to veteran actor JJ Murphy, Tribute are paid to former DJ Mike Smith, Funeral takes place of Churchwoman Lynda Patterson, Supermarket founder Karl Albrecht passes away, Actor James Garner passes away, Tributes are paid to Elaine Stritch, Tributes are paid to Presbyterian minister, Punk rocker Tommy Ramone passes away, Footballing legent Alfredo Di Stefano passes away, Tributes are paid to jazz musician Paul Horn, Tributes are paid to soul legend Bobby Womack, MBE for inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton, Actress and activist Ruby Dee passes away, Author Eric Hill passes away, Tributes are paid to Rik Mayall, Funeral takes place of Sir John Gorman, Former film star Mona Freeman passes away, Actress Ann B Davis passes away, Judges rule on remains of King Richard III, Smithfield legend Joe Kavanagh passes away, Singer Jerry Vale passes away, Comedian Eli Woods passes away, Shankill pays tribute to Hugh Smyth, Inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton passes away, Colourful funeral for brave Oscar Knox, Scientist Colin Pillinger passes away, Former boxing champion Jimmy Ellis passes away, Tributes are paid to Elena Baltacha, Paul Robeson Junior passes away, Tributes are paid to former footballer Sandy Jardine, Headstones are damaged at a Belfast cemetery, Tributes are paid to popular politician, Generous response in wake of marathon tragedy, Tributes are paid to actress Edna Dore, Private funeral is planned for Mickey Rooney, Country musician Arthur Smith passes away, Comedy writer Bob Larbey passes away, Surfing pioneer Hobie Alter passes away, Writer Sam McAughtry passes away, Internet sensation Peter Oakley passes away, Tributes are paid to actor James Rebhorn or Funeral takes place of James Ellis

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.