Cervantes remains found in Madrid

Some 400-year-old remains of renowned Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes has been found in a tomb in a convent in Spain’s capital, Madrid.

While there has been no genetic confirmation, forensic anthropologists said investigators’ year-long search led them to believe that Cervantes’ bones were among the remains of 15 bodies found in the crypt of the Barefoot Trinitarians.

“According to all the historical, anthropological and archaeological information generated by this project, we can conclude that among the remains found in the crypt of the Barefoot Trinitarians, in the ‘defined area,’ could be some remains of Miguel de Cervantes… There are a lot of coincidences and there are no discrepancies, and that’s the point at which the investigation is now,” said forensic anthropologist Francisco Exteberria.

The experts, who used infrared cameras, 3D scanners and ground-penetrating radar to identify the corpses, have been unable as of now to prove definitively which remains belonged to Cervantes.

Miguel de Cervantes, who was born near Madrid in 1547 into a modest family, had an adventurous life. He served in the navy and fought against the Ottoman empire, and later worked in the Church. He was for some time involved in finance work before starting his writing career. He also spent several years as a prisoner after being captured by pirates. He died on April 22, 1616, at the age of 70.

Cervantes is known as the father of the modern novel. He is the author to one of the world’s most revered literary works, “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.”