Hungarian early history research has reached another significant milestone. Archaeogenetic analysis conducted on remains housed in the ossuary of the royal basilica at Székesfehérvár has enabled researchers to identify the earthly remains of King Béla II of Hungary, known as “the Blind”. The discovery is noteworthy not merely for establishing the identity of a medieval ruler, but for shedding fresh light on the origins of the Árpád dynasty and its, at first glance, surprising familial connections.
Previously, four Árpád-era individuals had been identified, including two kings
Researchers from the Hungarian Research Institute and the University of Szeged analysed more than 400 human genomes from the Székesfehérvár ossuary. Their work identified three new paternal genetic lineages belonging to the Árpád dynasty, one of which can be conclusively linked to Béla II. This raises the number of known paternal genetic profiles associated with the dynasty from four to seven.
Earlier identifications include three individuals: Saint Ladislaus (r. 1077–1095); Béla III (r. 1172–1196), who was raised in Byzantium and came close to being crowned emperor; his wife, Anna of Antioch (1154–1184); and Andrew of Halych (1210–1234), the third son of Andrew II, remembered in the chronicles for his ultimately unsuccessful campaigns in Halych prior to the Mongol invasion.
Of these, only Béla III and Anna of Antioch have so far been reinterred, resting in an ornate tomb in the Church of the Assumption in Buda Castle—better known as Matthias Church. Their skulls have also allowed for modern facial reconstruction, offering a glimpse of their appearance. Anna’s father, incidentally, was Raynald of Châtillon, the anti-hero portrayed in the film Kingdom of Heaven.
What does DNA reveal about the origins of the Árpád dynasty?
One of the most striking findings of the study is the further confirmation of the dynasty’s paternal lineage. The Árpád rulers belonged to the R1a-Z93 haplogroup, associated with the peoples of the Eurasian steppe during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Genetic parallels can be traced from the southern Urals to the Caucasus, aligning with earlier research pointing to the eastern origins of both the Árpád dynasty and the Hungarian people.
The scientists also found evidence that later members of the dynasty acquired northern, Viking-age genetic connections through dynastic marriages. These links most likely entered the Hungarian royal bloodline via matrimonial alliances with the princely families of Kievan Rus’. According to the study, such northern genetic markers are detectable in Béla II, Béla III, and other identified Árpád-era individuals.
The genetic data further suggest a gradual integration of the Árpád dynasty into Europe’s ruling elite over the centuries. While early rulers retained a stronger eastern genetic heritage, later generations increasingly reflected ties with established European dynasties.
Who was Béla II “the Blind”?
Béla II reigned as King of Hungary from 1131 to 1141. His life took a tragic turn in childhood. His father, Prince Álmos, repeatedly rebelled against his brother, King Coloman. Although Coloman long refrained from harsh measures, he eventually acted decisively after yet another uprising: Álmos was blinded, as was his young son Béla—then perhaps only seven—in order to exclude them from succession and render them unfit to rule.
History, however, took an unexpected turn. Coloman’s son, Stephen II, died without an heir, and the previously sidelined Béla ascended to the throne. Though blind, it was not his condition that led his wife, Queen Helena, to assume the practical conduct of government, but rather the king’s reportedly dissolute lifestyle.
If you missed it: How climate helped the conquering Hungarians settle in Central Europe
A new chapter in royal identification
Researchers believe the implications of these findings extend far beyond the identification of Béla II. Genetic methods may enable the identification of further Árpád rulers and high-ranking individuals within the ossuary. In the longer term, this work could make it possible for identified kings to be reburied with due dignity at the national memorial site in Székesfehérvár.
Why are the bones in Székesfehérvár so disordered?
In short, because the royal basilica at Székesfehérvár—the burial place of Hungarian kings for centuries—was repeatedly looted, devastated, and destroyed. Later excavations in the 19th and early 20th centuries further compounded the problem, as some remains were mixed or lost due to unscientific handling. As a result, the ossuary now contains the commingled remains of several hundred individuals. Genetic research, aided by artificial intelligence, may yet bring clarity to this complex historical puzzle.
Have you read this one? 1,100-year-old elite warrior burials discovered in Hungary
