12 September 2012 Last updated at 07:50 ET
Richard III dig: 'Strong chance' bones belong to king
The skeleton of the adult male was found buried at the far end of this trench Archaeologists searching for the grave of Richard III have said human remains found in Leicester show similarities to the king's portrayal in records.
The English king died at the battle of Bosworth in 1485.
Archaeologists began a dig searching for his last resting place on 25 August under a car park in Leicester.
The remains found show signs of spinal abnormalities and a "cleaved-in skull" that suggest it could be Richard III, the University of Leicester team said.
A university spokesperson said "strong circumstantial evidence" including signs of a peri-mortem (near-death) trauma to the skull and abnormalities on the spine - severe scoliosis - were found after an initial examination of the skeleton.
Although not as pronounced as Shakespeare's portrayal of the king as a hunchback, the condition would have given the adult male the appearance of having one shoulder higher than the other.
Richard Taylor from Leicester University outlines five pieces of evidence which suggest the skeleton may have belonged to Richard III
The bones, believed to be well preserved, are undergoing DNA analysis. The tests will take about 12 weeks to complete.
Philippe Langley, from the Richard III Society, said: "The dream was to find Richard III and today it seems the dream is possible."
As the defeated foe, Richard was given a low-key burial in the Franciscan friary of Greyfriars.
This was demolished in the 1530s but documents describing the burial site have survived.
The excavation, which began on 25 August, has uncovered the remains of the cloisters and chapter house, as well as the church.
Work focused on the choir area, in the centre of the church, where it was indicated Richard was interred.
Richard Taylor, from the University of Leicester, said: "What we have uncovered is truly remarkable."
Speaking before a press conference, he said: "We have sent the remains off to the laboratory for analysis.
"DNA testing will take between eight and 12 weeks and the remains are being analysed as we speak."
Any bones which are thought to be those of the king will have their DNA tested against descendants of Richard's family.
Archaeologists used a 1741 map of Leicester to find the site of Greyfriars and then compared this to the modern city to find where to dig