A look further into the death of Peter "The Great"
A few months ago, researchers decided it was time to look further into the death of Peter "The Great" by opening the King's tomb in the Gothic monastery at Santes Creus. A team comprising archeologists, historians, paleopathologists, forensic scientists, entomologists, engineers and physicists together with art and restoration experts was set up to carry out two tasks: first, to disinter the remains of the King and move them to a setting that would guarantee their preservation; second, to analyze the monarch's physical traits, his lifestyle, the cause of his sudden death and the objects that were buried with him.
According to chronicles, it was one of the few tombs that had been spared during the repeated plundering of the monastery.
In order to see what was inside the tomb, the first step was to insert a tiny endoscopic camera through a small hole made in it. The amazing results left the scientists and technicians who were present awestruck: the camera revealed a mummy-like body lying inside draped in a cloth.
Yet Peter The Great only ruled for nine years. At the young age of 45 and at the height of his power, he died suddenly of an incurable disease and in murky circumstances.
As stated by the King's doctors, he succumbed to an unknown fever, but according to his enemies, his death was caused by a fatal war wound. CAT scans were done on the mummy in a nearby hospital. They would soon provide the answers to these and many other questions about the King's life. To do so, the main sites, the tomb in Santes Creus and the restoration center, were turned into virtual TV studios replete with cutting-edge production technology and choreographic shooting techniques were used during the most complex scenes, such as the opening of the tomb and removal of the mummy.
In addition to this footage, a number of historical reenactments were filmed in 3D in medieval settings to recreate the times of the King's life, the people, their social conditions, warfare, etc.
The program closes with the presentation of a physical-anatomical reconstruction of the monarch. Forensic research allows a faithful image of Peter III, known as "The Great", who traveled tirelessly throughout his lands and accompanied his armies into battle.
According to chronicles, it was one of the few tombs that had been spared during the repeated plundering of the monastery.
In order to see what was inside the tomb, the first step was to insert a tiny endoscopic camera through a small hole made in it. The amazing results left the scientists and technicians who were present awestruck: the camera revealed a mummy-like body lying inside draped in a cloth.
Yet Peter The Great only ruled for nine years. At the young age of 45 and at the height of his power, he died suddenly of an incurable disease and in murky circumstances.
As stated by the King's doctors, he succumbed to an unknown fever, but according to his enemies, his death was caused by a fatal war wound. CAT scans were done on the mummy in a nearby hospital. They would soon provide the answers to these and many other questions about the King's life. To do so, the main sites, the tomb in Santes Creus and the restoration center, were turned into virtual TV studios replete with cutting-edge production technology and choreographic shooting techniques were used during the most complex scenes, such as the opening of the tomb and removal of the mummy.
In addition to this footage, a number of historical reenactments were filmed in 3D in medieval settings to recreate the times of the King's life, the people, their social conditions, warfare, etc.
The program closes with the presentation of a physical-anatomical reconstruction of the monarch. Forensic research allows a faithful image of Peter III, known as "The Great", who traveled tirelessly throughout his lands and accompanied his armies into battle.
