Archaeologists in Britain have found the more than 500-year-old remains of England's King Richard III.

The skeleton was discovered under a parking lot in the city of Leicester, scientists announced Monday. University researchers confirmed the findings through radio-carbon, genealogical, and DNA testing.

Scientist took DNA from the skeleton and matched it with a sample taken from a distant living relative of Richard's sister.

The 17th great-grand-nephew, Michael Ibsen, shares a rare strain of mitochondrial DNA with the king.

"The skeleton has a number of unusual features. It's slender build, the scoliosis, and the battle-related trauma," osteologist Jo Appleby said. "All of these are highly consistent with the information that we have about Richard in life and the circumstances of his death."

The remains also revealed a metal arrow through the back and severe trauma to the skull. The wounds are consistent with historical reports that claim King Richard died in the battle of Bosworth in 1485 at the age of 32.

His remains had been missing for centuries but last year a team led by University of Leicester archaeologist Richard Buckley utilized a scientific technique called map regression analysis.

They analyzed earlier maps to chart geographical changes and employed ground-penetrating radar to find optimal places to excavate.

Philippa Langley, with the Richard III Society, helped launch the search.

"Everyone thought that I was mad," she said. "It's not the easiest pitch in the world, to look for a king under a council car park."

The king's skeleton now lays in a glass box at the university library. Officials say the remains will eventually be relocated to an undisclosed secure location.

Next year the skeleton will get a king's burial at the Leicester Cathedral with the pomp and ceremony befitting of royalty.

"We have searched for him, we have found him - it is now time to honor him," Langley said.