University of Leicester Richard III open day, 21 March

The University of Leicester is holding a public open day on Saturday 21 March to demonstrate the historical and scientific work that went into finding and identifying the remains of Richard III.

The university website says:

The University of Leicester, which located and excavated the bones, will hold an exclusive event giving people access to the academics and facilities which were instrumental in proving the identity of the king. 

The free interactive and hands-on workshops and talks will take place on Saturday 21 March, at the University campus and will include The Discovery Journey – which looks at the excavation and post excavation work carried out by archaeologists. 

Then there is the science behind the find. 

The Identification Journey will look at the DNA and genealogy research which linked Richard III to his modern day relations and proved beyond doubt that the skeleton was that of the former Plantagenet king.

Finally, The Knowledge Journey looks at the ongoing research and what academics have learned as a result of the one of the most important archaeological finds of all time.

You do not have to book before the day, but some sessions will be on a first-come-first-served basis.