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The royals have historically been tight-lipped about their health – but that never stopped the gossip

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-j-hackett-458612">Lisa J. Hackett</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919">University of New England</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/huw-nolan-1309470">Huw Nolan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919">University of New England</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jo-coghlan-1585">Jo Coghlan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919">University of New England</a> King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer. This is an unexpected announcement: it is unusual for the royal family to release details of medical conditions to the public. “<a href="https://journal.media-culture.org.au/index.php/mcjournal/article/view/2986">Don’t let the daylight in</a>” was how British essayist Walter Bagehot advised the British monarchy to deal with the public in 1867. “[A]bove all things our royalty is to be reverenced […] its mystery is its life,” he wrote. For Queen Elizabeth II this attitude framed her response to public information about the royals, quipping “<a href="https://www.news24.com/you/royals/news/royal-author-explains-queens-never-complain-never-explain-mantra-20220620">never complain, never explain</a>”. Maybe this explains why Princess Kate’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/05/king-charles-diagnosed-with-cancer-buckingham-palace-announces">recent abdominal surgery</a> has not been disclosed to the public, with media reports saying she is “determined to keep her medical details private”. In revealing the fragility of the royal body much of the mystique about them as anointed by God fades away. But the royals’ health has, occasionally, been the subject of official news, and, more commonly, the subject of gossip. <h2>Henry VIII’s ‘soore legge’</h2> Henry VIII’s (1491–1547) health was well-documented and discussed in state-papers and diplomatic dispatches of the day. In his early years, he was known for his robust health. In his later years, he would be described as “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2789029/">cursed</a>” by his deteriorating health. As Henry aged, his access to fine food led to an increase of weight. Doctors today might diagnose him with obesity, and it has been <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2789029/">speculated by contemporary medical historians</a> he suffered from hypertension and Type II diabetes. This disease, which can lead to diabetic neuropathy and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/healthy-feet.html">serious foot complications</a>, could account for the persistent and odorous ulcers on his “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2789029/#:%7E:text=In%20the%20same%20year%20Henry,annual%20salary%20of%2020%20shillings.">sorre legge</a>”, as described by his contemporaries. Knowledge about Henry’s health was not widespread. The king had sequestered himself in his private apartments. Even his attending <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2388216/pdf/annrcse00840-0011.pdf">physicians did not keep notes</a>, perhaps concerned about being accused of treason in the volatile politics of the time. Most of our knowledge today is gleaned from diplomatic reports sent by diplomats to their own leaders. <h2>Queen Anne’s lupus</h2> Queen Anne (1665-1714) had 17 pregnancies, 11 of which resulted in miscarriages or stillbirths, with the remainder all dying in childhood. Despite the regularity of her failed pregnancies, her physician, John Radcliffe, repeatedly declared she was in good health and her miscarriages were due to “<a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1540-6563.1986.tb00702.x">the vapours</a>”, a vague diagnosis often attributed to aristocratic women. It is <a href="https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA12456274&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=17592151&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Ee39109f7&aty=open-web-entry">now believed Anne</a> may have been afflicted with the autoimmune condition lupus. For Anne’s contemporaries, the name of the illness perhaps mattered less than the real political issue it presented: who would become monarch after her? With no heirs, there was real political fear her Catholic half-brother <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/learning/biographies/jamesfrancisedwardstuart(1688-1766).aspx">James Francis Edward Stuart</a> (“The Old Pretender”) would claim the throne. But the law <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/parliamentaryauthority/revolution/collections1/parliamentary-collections/act-of-settlement/">excluded Catholics</a> from the taking the crown, and ensured Anne would be succeed by her second cousin, George I of Hanover and Britain. <h2>George III and mental illness</h2> George III (1738–1820) famously suffered from bouts of mental illness, more recently been speculated to be caused by <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/porphyria">Porphyria</a>, a hereditary blood disorder. Throughout his illness <a href="https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/speccoll/2023/11/01/bulletin-on-the-state-of-king-george-iiis-health-october-2011-2/">bulletins were issued</a> by his doctors informing the public of his condition. These were kept <a href="https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/speccoll/2023/11/01/bulletin-on-the-state-of-king-george-iiis-health-october-2011-2/">deliberately vague</a>, with the aim to reassure the public rather than divulge details. His repeated bouts of illness mean his health was <a href="https://oro.open.ac.uk/92656/3/92656.pdf">a constant in the media of the time</a>, with frequent, at times twice-daily, updates during episodes. His illness called into <a href="https://oro.open.ac.uk/92656/3/92656.pdf">question his ability to be monarch</a>, a situation eventually resolved by the installing of his son, later George IV, as Prince Regent. <h2>A family of haemophilia</h2> Queen Victoria has been called the “<a href="https://hekint.org/2020/02/10/royal-blood-queen-victoria-and-the-legacy-of-hemophilia-in-european-royalty/?highlight=%E2%A3%82%E2%A3%9A%20Buy%20Viagra%20from%20%240.31%20per%20pill%20%3A%20%F0%9F%8F%A5%20www.LloydsPharmacy.xyz%20%F0%9F%8F%A5%20-%20Pharma%20without%20prescription%20%E2%A3%9A%E2%A3%82Viagra%20Cialis%20Levitra%20Staxyn%20Online%20Viagra%20Online%20Information">Grandmother of Europe</a>” due to her many descendants. This also came with a deadly legacy, haemophilia, given the moniker “the royal disease”. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemophilia/facts.html">Haemophilia</a> is an inherited disorder which mostly affects males, where the blood does not clot properly. This can lead to severe or spontaneous bleeding which can be dangerous if not treated properly. While the illness can be managed well today, in Victoria’s time little was known about it. It is believed Victoria passed on the trait to <a href="https://www.hemophilia.org/bleeding-disorders-a-z/overview/history">three of her nine children</a>, at a time when life expectancy for those who had the disease was just 13 years old. Two of her daughters were asymptomatic carriers, however her fourth son Prince Leopold (1853-1884) was afflicted with the disease. While the royal family were careful to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21764831/">manage what information was publicly released</a> about his illness, his status meant it garnered public attention. It was covered in medical journals of the time, and later in newspapers. As knowledge of the illness grew, both the public and members of the royal family were able to use it to guide decisions on marriages to limit its spread. <h2>A new approach</h2> In the days leading up to Elizabeth’s death on 2022, the media reported her as resting “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/09/08/queen-under-medical-supervision-as-doctors-are-concerned-for-her-health/?sh=42c483e9140e">comfortably</a>” and provided no information on the nature of her illness. Even her <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/queen-elizabeth-iis-death-revealed-death-certificate/story?id=90696648">death certificate</a> failed to reveal her cause of death, other than as old age. Charles has signalled he wants to do monarchy differently than his mother. After his recent prostate surgery, his office stated he wanted to inspire men to look after their prostates. Anecdotal evidence suggests more men have sought medical tests in response which is being called the “<a href="https://www.ausdoc.com.au/news/king-charles-effect-spurs-aussie-men-to-consult-their-gp-for-prostate-symptoms/">King Charles effect</a>”. Now, the announcement of Charles’s cancer diagnosis signals a new approach by the royals. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/222873/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lisa-j-hackett-458612">Lisa J. Hackett</a>, Lecturer, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919">University of New England</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/huw-nolan-1309470">Huw Nolan</a>, Animal Welfare scientist and pop culture researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919">University of New England</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jo-coghlan-1585">Jo Coghlan</a>, Associate Professor Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-new-england-919">University of New England</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-royals-have-historically-been-tight-lipped-about-their-health-but-that-never-stopped-the-gossip-222873">original article</a>.

Caring

Tips for eating a healthy diet on a tight budget

When you’re on a tight budget, the idea of coming up with tasty, healthy meals on a regular basis can sometimes seem beyond us! We easily fall prey to slick grocery marketing, and when it comes to fitting meal preparation into our day, it’s easy to fall into a rut, succumbing to quick fix fast foods again and again. The good news is, you can be thrifty and healthy – with a little organisation and creativity, you can enjoy first class meals on a smart saver’s budget. Here’s a selection of tips to help with your creative cuisine challenge: <ul> <li>A golden rule is don’t shop when you’re hungry, as you’re more likely to buy things you don’t need. Shop with a list rather than buying on the spur of the moment.</li> <li>Buy fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season, and only enough for a week or so, as they go off quickly.</li> <li>Buy generic, no name and home brands where possible, especially for items where you’re not fussed about having the absolute best quality.</li> <li>Add some canned kidney beans, chick peas, lentils or other legumes to mince dishes or stews to make the meal go further. Canned beans are cheap, handy and healthy – a great addition to salads and other meals.</li> <li>Buying in bulk is almost always cheaper. It’s a great idea to buy non-perishable items in bulk (canned foods, dried beans and grains etc.), and you can freeze perishable items such as meat and bread in smaller portions to use as needed.</li> <li>When cooking a big meal, make extra to freeze or use later in the week for lunches or quick suppers. Double recipes, then freeze half.</li> <li>Use less expensive cuts of meat for casseroles that you slow cook; add extra vegetables and beans to make the meal go further.</li> <li>Look at purchasing perishables like meat and sushi at the end of the day when there are often clearances of stock close to use by dates.</li> <li>Check supermarket catalogues for specials and identify any products that you need before you go shopping.</li> <li>Buy block cheese and grate it yourself.</li> <li>Preserve when it’s cheap. Depending on your storage capacity, bottling, drying and freezing fresh fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to cash in on seasonal foods that are lower in cost but higher in taste and nutrition.</li> <li>Brown rice is a great addition to leftover meat and veggies. Although brown rice is slightly more costly than white, the nutritional payoff is well worth it.</li> <li>Pasta, likewise, is quick and easy to prepare, and can be paired with veggies, meat or a fresh salad. Have fun adding your own dash of inspiration (mushrooms, spices and herbs.) Choose wholemeal pasta when you can.</li> <li>Always keep spices, herbs and sauces handy – they can brighten up simple dishes.</li> <li>Bake your own goodies – that way you can make sure everything that goes into them is more nutritious. Plus, they are generally cheaper and tastier than store bought varieties.</li> <li>Soups can’t be beaten for nutrition and convenience, especially since you can use inexpensive soup mixes as your base. At the end of the week, make soup out of all your leftover veggies instead of throwing them out, and freeze anything you won’t eat in a few days. You can find great ideas on the internet by searching for recipes containing whatever you have in the fridge. Again, be creative, adding your own herbs and spices.</li> </ul> Image credits: Getty Images

Food & Wine

Tips for eating a healthy diet on a tight budget

Food & Wine

The exercise that will loosen tight muscles

Sitting down for a big chunk of your day can lead to problems such as lower back pain, hip pain and knee and ankle pain. The reason is because the glutes have worn out and are failing to move when we exercise or go about our day-to-day tasks. Glute activation is a popular form of exercise, especially for those who tend to be hunched over a desk for long periods at a time, or whose health or lifestyle causes them to be sitting down for most of the day. It’s the perfect way to loosen up tight muscles and is a stepping stone for more high intensity and weight bearing moves like squats and lunges. In this video, Taylor Harrison – author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a> – shows you how to activate your glutes, resulting in relaxed muscles and a pain-free body. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/297639711" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>. Will you be trying out this exercise? Let us know in the comments below.

Body

How to relieve tightness in your chest and shoulders

The front of the shoulders commonly become tight, but this easy stretch will target your muscles – and all you need is a doorway! In this video, Taylor Harrison, author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a>, shares the simple stretch to target tightness in your chest and shoulders. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/291443182" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>.

Caring

Where to sit on the plane if you have to make a tight connection

On paper, 45 minutes might have seemed like plenty of time to disembark, pick up your bags, clear customs and get to the other end of the terminal for your connecting flight. But once you’ve touched down on the tarmac, waited 15 minutes to retrieve your bag from the overhead compartment, endured an achingly slow airport shuttle ride then realised you’ve been standing at the wrong baggage carousel for half an hour, you quickly realise this isn’t the case. Making a tight connection has got to be one of the more stress-inducing events in the world of travel, and while it can be done (and be a great way to minimise your time in transit), it can also be a needlessly risky endeavour. So, how do we increase our odds of making the flight? Well, <a href="https://www.smartertravel.com/" target="_blank">Smarter Travel</a> expert Ed Perkins believes it could all come down to where you’re sitting on the plane. “If you know you're facing a tight connection and you've booked your flight in advance, reserve an aisle seat toward the front of the plane,” says Perkins. “Even if it costs a little extra, it's cheaper than missing your flight. If you can't get the seat you want online, skip the automated ticket kiosk and instead check in at the counter, where you can explain your situation and ask to be seated near the front. “The earlier you arrive at the airport (and the nicer you are when asking for help), the more likely this strategy will have a positive outcome.” And if this option doesn’t work? Perkins says it’s worth bringing your case up with one of the flight attendants onboard your first flight, to see if they can help. “Flight attendants tend to be more sympathetic about missed connections and will often make a concerted effort to help you avoid one,” Perkins explains. “Timing is everything, so ask once all passengers are seated and when your flight attendant isn't too busy. If seats toward the front of the plane are available, your flight attendant should be able to accommodate your request (even if this means moving you for only a few minutes at the end of the flight) so that you are one of the first to deplane.” What are your thoughts? Have you ever missed a tight connection?

Travel Tips

8 tips to eat healthy on a tight budget

Life on a fixed income certainly isn’t easy. Sometimes that means taking shortcuts to make ends meet. But it’s also important that we don’t neglect our health when it comes to what we’re putting in our bellies. If you’re struggling to eat well while tightening the purse strings, here are eight ways to eat healthy on a tight budget. 1. Plan meals in advance Without a plan, odds are you’re going to struggle to stay under budget. So, take time out of your week to plan your meals. Make a grocery list, but before you head to the shops take a second to scan your fridge and cabinets. No use buying something you already have, and there’s normally plenty lying around that can be used. 2. Stick to your grocery list It’s one thing to make a grocery list, but sticking to it is another thing altogether. Try to avoid temptations like specials and stick to the items you need. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/2016/02/understanding-supermarket-sales-tricks/" target="_blank">Discretionary purchases</a> will not only blow out your budget (without you even realising it) but there’s every chance you’ll end up with junk food that won’t do your diet any favours. 3. Cook large portions and use leftovers If you’re clever with your planning one meal can easily turn into four or five. Leftovers often make great stews, stir fries and casseroles and a great for people looking to eat on a budget, while cooking larger meals will save you time. 4. Switch brand names for generic products While we’ve all got our favourite brands, there are many items that can be easily switched for their generic counterparts (and odds are you won’t even notice the difference). Particularly when it comes to staples like flour, bread and milk, switching brand names for generic counterparts can end up saving you a lot of dough. 5. Never shop when you’re hungry Shopping with a rumbling stomach is the last thing you want to do, especially if you want to stay on budget. A little bit of hunger is just the tiny bit of mental stimulus that could see you <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2016/09/5-foods-a-nutritionist-would-never-let-you-eat/" target="_blank">pick up those discounted biscuits</a> rather than stick to your list. 6. Cheaper cuts of meat Large, inexpensive cuts of meats are perfect for casseroles, soups, stews and stir fries, especially if you’re making larger meals where there will be a lot of leftovers. 7. Cut down on takeaway When it comes to eating healthily on a budget, takeaway is your worst enemy. While it might seem like an easy fix, ordering a dish takeaway is almost always more expensive (and less healthy) than making the same dish at home. <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/" target="_blank">Over60’s Food & Wine</a> section has a range of recipes that will make you wonder why you ever got takeaway in the first place like <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/06/chicken-pad-thai/" target="_blank">chicken pad thai</a>, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/2017/03/chinese-fried-rice/" target="_blank">Chinese fried rice</a> and <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/11/white-pizza-with-cauliflower-and-taleggio/" target="_blank">white pizza with cauliflower and taleggio</a>. Not only are our alternatives cheaper and healthier, but we think they’re more delicious! 8. Choose materials good for budget stretching If you really want to stretch your budget out you must be realistic and realise you’re not going to be able to afford filet mignon every night. Cheaper cuts of meats (as mentioned above) as well as veggies, canned goods, beans and legumes are great for shoppers looking to stock up on vitamins without breaking the budget. Do you have any tips for stretching your budget, while still eating healthily? Perhaps a creative recipe you’ve come across? We’ve love to hear from you.

Money & Banking

12 ways to stretch your money on a tight budget

The transition to retirement is difficult, particularly when it comes to managing a fixed income. The good news is that yes, while it can be tricky to make your money go the distance, with a bit of planning it’s certainly not impossible. And while there are plenty of ways to secure a reliable source of income in retirement like Equip’s innovative <a href="https://www.equipsuper.com.au/blog/a-retirement-income-that-lasts" target="_blank">MyPension income stream</a>, every cent that you can save adds up. Based on the best money advice from members of the Over60 community, we’ve put together 12 ways to stretch your money on a tight budget. Follow this advice and we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how far your money goes. <ol> <li>Judy Valentine has a few tips for ways you can be smarter at the supermarket, “If I buy a frozen chook at Aldi and cook it in the oven at home I use a turbo oven. It’s heaps cheaper than a BBQ chook or pre-cooked smaller serves from supermarkets.”</li> <li>Sue Walshaw caters for her grandkids, “I buy snack packs of chips for the grandchildren cause they last longer and eat less. Smaller packs of chicken are good for just two of us.”</li> <li>Bernice Wuttke also espouses the benefits of clever shopping, “Scrooge is my middle name. I stock up when things are on special. I check the weekly brochures and write my shopping list.”</li> <li>Rob Smith recommends heading a little further out, “We are fortunate to be able to shop at a Farmers Market where we can buy most of our food and support local farmers. Any supermarket shopping is done at an independent store who also support local suppliers. If we ate seasonal food as much as possible without relying on imports, we would all be better off.”</li> <li>Michael Dwyer has sworn off bottled water, “For a resident of Melbourne to buy bottled water is the height of stupidity. I know that residents of other cities are not blessed with the water quality of Melbourne, but even they should have drinkable tap water.”</li> <li>Robyn Stokes says, “I do shop from a list and that saves heaps, only divert if your regular items are on special and whilst we all try to buy Aussie made the generics stretch the budget. I am managing to save a lot more by this method.”</li> <li>Lynne Clarke Carter has some tips for meat shopping as well as getting a better deal on utilities, Only buy meat when marked down or on special, ring up your gas and elect supplier to get a better deal, they want to keep you, so will oblige.”</li> <li>Wendy Coman recommends generic brands where possible, “I suggest that buying generic brands is a good idea, but please support Australian farmers and producers. Not a fan of losing our own brands. If you read labels and buy specials it can be done.”</li> <li>Mike Lippert believes you should take advantage of discounts and high interest accounts, “Get loyalty cards, but research before, have a linked online access account for your necessary back-up cash, an account that pays around the 3 per cent at present.”</li> <li>Avrina Woodyatt A'Bell says you should always be on the lookout for opportunities to take advantage of senior discounts, “Some stores don't offer discount but if you ask they will give you one. I have been given discounts in cafes, sports stores, smaller supermarkets even though they aren't listed in the book. Why not ask they can only say yes or no.”</li> <li>Shirley Stokes also adds that you can even use your senior discounts when travelling, “You can also use the senior’s card in many places in Europe. I've used in museums in England, France (very good discount) and buses in Croatia, among others.”</li> <li>Sylvia Harrison reminds us that you should, “Never be afraid to ask! I and my friends ask where- ever we go, because there are people who make excuses, or will always say 'No!' to anything which reduces their earnings. Got the card – use it!”</li> </ol> Do you agree with these money saving tips? Are there any that you would add to the list? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you. <a href="http://www.equipsuper.com.au/" target="_blank">Equip</a> manages $7 billion of investments for members working across a wide range of Australian industry sectors. This <a href="http://www.equipsuper.com.au/" target="_blank">superannuation fund</a> has been providing strong investment performance and has been a reliable provider of retirement benefits for over 80 years. Related links: <a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/07/10-simple-tips-for-fuel-efficient-driving/">10 simple tips for fuel efficient driving</a> <a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/07/20-small-ways-to-reduce-your-monthly-spend/">20 small ways to reduce your monthly spend</a> <a href="/finance/money-banking/2016/06/10-foods-you-must-stop-buying-at-the-supermarket/">10 foods you must stop buying at the supermarket</a>

Money & Banking

The trick to loosening tight shoes

It’s happened to everyone at least once – you try a pair of shoes on in the shop and they seem to be a perfect fit, only to find when you wear them for longer than a few minutes, they’re a size to small. Try this simple trick to loosen shoes. All you need is a hair dryer, a pair of socks and to watch the video above. Do you have a trick for loosening shoes to share with the community? Let us know in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/05/home-remedies-for-split-ends/">4 home remedies for split ends</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/4-ways-your-brows-can-age-you/">4 ways your brows can age you</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/04/green-tea-key-to-healthy-skin/">Green tea key to healthy skin</a>

Beauty & Style

Greek archaeologists find 6000-year-old couple locked in a tight embrace

A couple has been found exactly as they died nearly 6000 years ago – locked in a tight embrace.Greek archaeologists discovered the pair of skeletons while on a dig in Aleoptrypa in Diros, Greece. The skeletons were buried in what is commonly known as the “spooning” position.The discovery, which was made in 2013 but DNA testing has finally determined the sex of the skeletons, is the oldest of its kind in Greece.“We can safely assume that this area operated in the collective memory of these groups as a place to deposit their dead over thousands of years,” the Greek Culture Ministry released in a statement about the findings.Since working on the site, archaeologist have discovered dozens of humans remains but this type of double burial is rare.Further DNA testing is required to find out the circumstances of the death. Image credit: FacebookRelated links: <a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/01/tutenkhamun-beard-glued/" target="_blank">Mystery of the year: was King Tutankhamun’s beard glued back on?</a><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/smiling-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank">There’s a beaming face smiling at earth from a distant galaxy</a><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/orcas-rubbing-stones/" target="_blank">Watch amazing footage of orcas rubbing their bellies on stones in shallow water</a>

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The royals have historically been tight-lipped about their health – but that never stopped the gossip

Tips for eating a healthy diet on a tight budget

Tips for eating a healthy diet on a tight budget

The exercise that will loosen tight muscles

How to relieve tightness in your chest and shoulders