A group of Italian archeologists has recently unearthed a skeleton beneath the floor of the medieval Convent of Saint Ursula in Florence, Italy. The ancient remains are believed to have belonged to the model who posed for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa masterpiece
Scientists are now to compare the DNA in the bones with the remains of the Lisa Gherardini's two children, who were buried nearby in the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata. If the test proves the archeologists to be right, her appearance will be reconstructed based on the remaining scull and the world will finally learn what La Giaconda really looked likeThe results of the DNA test will be made known by early 2013. Until then, Mona Lisa’s identity will remain one of the biggest mysteries in the art worldArcheologist Silvano Vinceti, who is in charge of the dig, said several years ago he found a death certificate of Lisa Gherardini, referred to as Mona Lisa, who, according to the document, was buried in the Convent of Saint Ursula in FlorenceLisa Gherardini was the wife of a wealthy Florentine silk merchant, Francesco del Giocondo. Rumours have it La Giaconda could also be inspired by some woman of pleasure or a street prostitute, or even a male lover of the great Leonardo. Others say the Mona Lisa could in fact be a self-portrait
