The strange story of the grave of Copernicus

Nicholas Copernicus was the astronomer who, five centuries ago, explained that Earth revolves around the Sun, rather than vice versa. A true Renaissance man, he also practised as a mathematician, engineer, author, economic theorist and medical doctor. Upon his death in 1543 in Frombork, Poland, Copernicus was buried in the local cathedral. Over the subsequent centuries, the location of his grave was lost to history.

Who was Copernicus?

• After his father’s death, Copernicus’s uncle assumed responsibility for his education.
• The young scholar initially studied at the University of Kraków between 1491 and 1494, and later at Italian universities in Bologna, Padua and Ferrara.
• In 1519, Copernicus also introduced the concept now known as Gresham’s law, a monetary principle addressing the circulation and valuation of money.

The Copernican model of the universe

• The cornerstone of Copernicus’s contributions to science was his revolutionary model of the universe.
• Contrary to the prevailing Ptolemaic model, which maintained that Earth was the stationary centre of the universe, Copernicus argued that Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun.

The search for Copernicus

The Frombork Cathedral serves as the final resting place of more than 100 people, most of whom lie in unnamed graves. There were several unsuccessful attempts to locate Copernicus’s remains, dating as far back as the 16th and 17th centuries. Another failed attempt was made by the French emperor Napoleon after the 1807 Battle of Eylau. Napoleon held Copernicus in high regard as a polymath, mathematician and astronomer.

• They were guided by the theory of historian Jerzy Sikorski, who claimed that Copernicus, serving as the Canon of Frombork Cathedral, would have been buried near the cathedral altar for which he was responsible during his tenure.
• This particular skeleton was identified as the closest match to that of Copernicus.

Forensic science

• In addition to morphological studies, DNA analysis is often used for the identification of historical or ancient remains.
• In the case of the presumed remains of Copernicus, a genetic identification was possible due to the well-preserved state of the teeth.

An unlikely find

• An astronomical reference book used by Copernicus for many years was found to contain hair among its pages.
• This book had been taken to Sweden as war booty following the Swedish invasion of Poland in the mid-17th century.
• A meticulous examination of the book revealed several hairs, thought likely to belong to the book’s primary user, Copernicus himself.

Darius von Guttner Sporzynski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.