Remains of Russian tsar's children possibly found - archeologists

http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=3517

I'm confused.  Are they saying that they remains were found in 1917??

Yes, this article is very confusing. It says: "In the course of searches in July and August 1917, the remains of two persons were found with traces of numerous injuries. Ural archeologists surmise that they are the remains of Tsarevich Alexey and Grand Duchess Maria,"  which makes it sound that the remains were found back in 1917... which is ridiculous, unless they had them all along and didn't know they did? But they didn't say that either. Then it goes on to say "The remains were found while digging up an area indicated in a document that had remained classified until recently and records a detailed account of the execution by the firing squad commander, Yakov Yurovsky." Huh?

Of course this is some sort of a religious website, so I am not sure how much I would bank on this... I think the author of the article is somewhat confused...

If the two bodies were found in 1917, then Yurovsky's idea of separating the group was a good one after all.

Mikey

Here's another link that I found regarding the story thru my ISP.  It states the remaining bones were found this summer in the general area that had previously been searched I believe

http://www.comcast.net/news/science/index.jsp?cat=SCIENCE&fn=/2007/08/23/746671.html&cvqh=itn_czarson

It would be wonderful if it were them.  Then they could be at rest together finally in St Petersburg.  Although from what I've seen in various books the Russians and others disagree on which daughter was missing Anastasia or Maria.

Suzanne

Does anyone else know what's going on in Ekaterinburg?

Thank you for that other link, Suzanne. It is a more informative article than the one I originally cited. If this really turns out to be them, well, that would be huge news for those interested in this topic!

Here's another link that I found regarding the story thru my ISP.  It states the remaining bones were found this summer in the general area that had previously been searched I believe

http://www.comcast.net/news/science/index.jsp?cat=SCIENCE&fn=/2007/08/23/746671.html&cvqh=itn_czarson

It would be wonderful if it were them.  Then they could be at rest together finally in St Petersburg.  Although from what I've seen in various books the Russians and others disagree on which daughter was missing Anastasia or Maria.

Suzanne

I know I am looking forward to any more information.  I am fascinated.

Couldn't they now test the bones for mitochodrial dna and match it (or not) to the Victoria dna they used to ID Alexandra and the other daughters?  Doesn't mitochondrial get passed from mother to children?

Mikey

Seems to be hitting the wires. I don't know if it would be reported by AP and CBS, MSNBC, Pravda and Yahoo if it was bogus.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/23/ap/europe/main3199001.shtml



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070823/ap_on_re_eu/russia_czar_s_son



http://english.pravda.ru/news/russia/24-08-2007/96318-russian_heir-0


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20413540/

Let us hope it is true and definitive. No doubt, there will be naysayers though.

Here's two more links that make it sound even more definite, one says the Russian gov't is reopening the case of the murder of the family:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/24/europe/EU-GEN-Russia-Czars-Son.php

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2319914.ece?Submitted

So basically it sounds like the information they have so far is that the remains are human and appear to belong to a teenage male and a teenage female, and were found in roughly the area that Yurovsky mentioned the two bodies were burned. That's all very nice, but they haven't done any forensic studies yet.. Why are they making this announcement already? Haven't they learned their lesson about hasty conclusions? IMO, this is all very foolish.

So basically it sounds like the information they have so far is that the remains are human and appear to belong to a teenage male and a teenage female, and were found in roughly the area that Yurovsky mentioned the two bodies were burned. That's all very nice, but they haven't done any forensic studies yet.. Why are they making this announcement already? Haven't they learned their lesson about hasty conclusions? IMO, this is all very foolish.

That's the problem, we don't know in what stadium the studies are now.
Would they have made this statement to Associated Press if they hadn't already done some further studying? I hope not.
Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. The DNA tests shouldn't take too long. They could have results in a few days already if all goes well

Yes, I really hope it is them. It's true, we will have to wait and see for sure, but it would still be so wonderful that finally, after nearly a century, the entire family is together again. Does anyone know if they will air news about this on television? Thank you.

So basically it sounds like the information they have so far is that the remains are human and appear to belong to a teenage male and a teenage female, and were found in roughly the area that Yurovsky mentioned the two bodies were burned. That's all very nice, but they haven't done any forensic studies yet.. Why are they making this announcement already? Haven't they learned their lesson about hasty conclusions? IMO, this is all very foolish.

That's the problem, we don't know in what stadium the studies are now.
Would they have made this statement to Associated Press if they hadn't already done some further studying? I hope not.
Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. The DNA tests shouldn't take too long. They could have results in a few days already if all goes well

The article said that these studies will be done, as in the "future tense". "Would they have made this statement to Associated Press if they hadn't already done some further studying?" Yes, why not, it's not like there has never been a precedent... Or have you already forgotten the unfortunate Jon Benet "suspect" announcement last year that was picked by every news media in the world?

Why didn't these guys just wait until the results were in and there was no question about it (at least to those who are sane) and then make the announcement? They would have looked so much more professional... Maybe someone leaked the story. I have a feeling this will turn into a big mess, even if these are indeed the right remains.