Ancient DNA Study Confirms Malaria Killed Medici Brothers

Researchers from Yale University and the University of Pisa have used ancient DNA analysis to determine the cause of death of two 16th‑century Medici brothers, Giovanni de’ Medici and Grand Duke Francesco de’ Medici. Genetic testing of rib fragments uncovered Plasmodium falciparum in both brothers, and a second strain, Plasmodium malariae, in Francesco, indicating malaria rather than poisoning as the fatal illness. The findings settle a long‑standing historical debate over alleged arsenic murder and provide new data on how malaria strains evolved in Renaissance Italy. The study, published in *Science*, also highlights the power of modern palaeopathology to resolve historic medical mysteries.