Napoleon’s Marengo Gets a Facelift

Nearly 200 years after his death, scientists at the U.K.’s Natural History Museum gave Marengo a full skeletal makeover.
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Napoleon
Marengo is now back in his display at the National Army Museum. | Photo Credit: Courtesy of the U.K. Natural History Museum
The horse that helped shape European history has just gotten reshaped himself. Or, his skeleton has, anyway. Nearly 200 years after his death, Napoleon Bonaparte’s Marengo has received a full skeletal makeover by scientists at the U.K.’s Natural History Museum.

“He was in a static pose and starting to slump over time, so we wanted to give him something more dynamic,” said Arianna Bernucci, MSc, MA, conservator at the Natural History Museum, in London.

Originally prepared through a “secretive process” by early 19th century preparators, the Arabian stallion’s bones were mounted on a metal frame for display. Over time, some of the bones fused to the metal, while others—mainly the sternum—cracked, Bernucci said.

“I cleaned them in the least invasive way possible, with just a vacuum, dry brush, and smoke sponge,” she said. The skeleton has been on display at the National Army Museum in London since the 1960s. The museum entrusted the scientists of the National History Museum with Marengo’s renovation project

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Passionate about horses and science from the time she was riding her first Shetland Pony in Texas, Christa Lesté-Lasserre writes about scientific research that contributes to a better understanding of all equids. After undergrad studies in science, journalism, and literature, she received a master’s degree in creative writing. Now based in France, she aims to present the most fascinating aspect of equine science: the story it creates. Follow Lesté-Lasserre on Twitter @christalestelas.

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