Was he murdered or was he not? - Part II: Multi-elemental analyses of hair and bone samples from Tycho Brahe and histopathology of his bones
2017
Abstract
Hair and bone samples procured from the remains of Tycho Brahe were analysed by several analytical techniques. In segmented hair samples, concentrations of Fe, As, Ag and Au at the tips exceeded values for the contemporary population; however, they decreased towards the hair bulbs, similarly to Hg, indicating that recent exposure that was discontinued ~2 months prior to Brahe's death.
Several other elements did not follow this pattern. Analyses of bones revealed signs of long-term exposure to Au, while many other elements were within expected ranges.
Histopathological examination of bone sections yielded no signs of severe bone metabolic disorders.