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When the remains of a Protestant bishop were reburied from the crypt in the north tower in the cathedral in the Swedish city of Lund in 2015, scientists made a gruesome discovery.

Under the feet of the clergyman Peder Winstrup (1605–1679) they discovered the remains of a human fetus, wrapped in a piece of linen cloth.

Presumably, the five to six month old stillborn is his grandson.

Swedish researchers have now come to this conclusion.

Analysis of DNA samples from the two dead revealed that they were second-degree relatives.

Winstrup, who died in 1679, and the stillborn boy shared 25 percent of the genes.

The scientists from the Center for Paleogenetics at Stockholm University found that the relationship was beyond the father's line.

The bundle found at the feet of Bishop Peder Winstrup

Source: dpa

For second-degree relationships, constellations such as uncles, nephews, grandparents, grandchildren and half-siblings are possible.

A grandfather-to-grandchildren relationship seemed likely to the researchers: "It is possible that the stillborn boy Peder Pedersen was Winstrup's son and the bishop was therefore his grandfather," says Maja Krzewinska from the Paleogenetics Center.

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"It was not unusual for small children to be placed in coffins with adults," says Torbjörn Ahlström, professor of historical osteology at Lund University.

"The fetus may have been placed in the coffin after the funeral when it was in a vaulted tomb in Lund Cathedral and was therefore accessible."

The x-ray shows the fetus

Source: dpa

The body of Bishop Winstrup is considered to be one of the best preserved human bodies from the 17th century.

The clothing, skin, bones and internal organs were amazingly well preserved centuries later.

The fact that the corpse held up well is explained by death in winter and constant air circulation.

Side dishes in the coffin such as hops, juniper berries and wormwood probably also stopped the decomposition process.

Born in Copenhagen, Winstrup first made a career at the Danish royal court after studying theology, philosophy and physics.

At the age of 33 he was appointed Evangelical Lutheran Bishop of Lund, which at that time, like large parts of southern Sweden, was still under Danish rule.

The body of Peder Winstrup

Source: dpa

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Even after the region fell to Sweden in the Peace of Roskilde in 1658, Winstrup was able to stay in office.

With a forward-looking idea, he proved his loyalty to the new masters: He suggested founding a university in Lund that would act as the cultural center of southern Sweden.

The college was inaugurated in 1668.

Winstrup could not pass his position on to his son Peder Pedersen Winstrup.

Perhaps a family drama is hidden behind the burial place.

Unlike his father, he did not study theology, but was interested in fortress building.

In the Great Reduction, in which King Charles XI.

In 1680 numerous noble estates moved in, and Peder Pedersen also lost his fortune.

Perhaps by burying his stillborn son at the feet of his father, he wanted to send a symbolic sign that the family would come to an end.

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