Discovery of the Remains of the Creator of 'Don Quixote' in a Monastery in Madrid

Archaeological researchers announced on Tuesday, March 12, that the remains of Miguel de Cervantes, the Spanish author of 'Don Quixote' and the father of modern fiction, have been discovered in a monastery in the historic center of Madrid. According to Reuters, about 400 years after the author's death, researchers found his remains and coffin deep within a 17th-century monastery. They stated that some of the bones found in recent excavations are almost certainly attributed to Cervantes. Francisco Echeverría, a forensic expert, said at a press conference: 'The convergence of all existing evidence led us to the conclusion that Cervantes' remains are in this monastery.' He added, 'Even after DNA testing, experts cannot say with absolute certainty that this is his body.' Cervantes' literary masterpiece, 'Don Quixote,' tells the story of a delusional knight and his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, captivating millions worldwide. Before his death, Cervantes requested to be buried in the monastery, which belonged to a Catholic order that had helped pay ransom to North African pirates who had taken him captive. Miguel de Cervantes died in 1616. Historical records indicate that William Shakespeare also died in the same week. However, the marker of Cervantes' grave had been lost during the reconstruction of the monastery building. Historians hope that a tomb for Cervantes will be constructed for literature enthusiasts to visit. Ana Botía, the mayor of Madrid, stated on Tuesday that officials are considering opening the site to visitors. Reuters adds that the researchers' excavations to find Cervantes' remains in the monastery, which still houses dozens of elderly nuns, began a year ago. They recently found bone fragments and pieces of a wooden coffin with the letters 'M' and 'C,' the initials of Miguel Cervantes. Experts say that none of these bones show signs of injuries consistent with Cervantes' body, including the arm injury he sustained in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The search for Cervantes' remains was initiated following a similar study in Britain. In 2012, researchers were able to find the remains of Richard III, a medieval English king, in the lower layers of a parking lot in Leicester. The remains of Richard III will be reburied in an official ceremony next week.