Molecular Genetic Identification of Skeletal Remains from the Unmarked Graves of the First Half of the 16th Century from the Necropolis of the Ascension Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin

Scientists have successfully identified the skeletal remains of two female members of Russia's princely family, likely descendants of Grand Princess Sophia Palaiologina, using advanced genetic analysis. By examining autosomal microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable regions from three unmarked graves in the Ascension Cathedral necropolis of the Moscow Kremlin, researchers confirmed their close familial relationships. The findings revealed that all three skeletons belonged to the same mitogroup (HV0), common among European populations, providing critical insights into the 16th-century burial practices of Russia's nobility and aiding historical reconstruction efforts.

Kornienko, I. V., Panova, T. D., Faleeva, T. G., Aramova, O. Yu., & Sidorenko, Yu. S. (2022). Molecular Genetic Identification of Skeletal Remains from the Unmarked Graves of the First Half of the 16th Century from the Necropolis of the Ascension Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. Russian Journal of Genetics, 58(2), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1134/s1022795422020077