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Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory, south west of Chicago, have confirmed Ludwig van Beethoven suffered and died from lead poisoning.

The composer saw several doctors to find out what caused his stomach pains and the depression that plagued him most of his life. He never received an answer.

175 years after his death, it took a team of four scientists and a machine two-thirds of a mile long to diagnose Beethoven’s ailment.

Argonne’s Ken Kemner says the experience of testing Beethoven’s remains was a spine-chilling one.

""This is as close to greatness (as) I think I’ve ever been in my life,"" he says. ""Literally within minutes of the beam going down, and you have this wonderful rush of excitement of realizing that there are four people in the world that know why Beethoven died.""

The scientists applied a powerful X-ray to fragments of the composer’s skull and hair, and identified high levels of lead.

The hair strands were cut from Beethoven’s head shortly after his death and kept by a German family, who later paid for much-needed medical care by giving the hair to a doctor.

The hair was later auctioned and brought to Argonne for testing.

Combined tests on the bone and hair fragments were conducted three years ago.

Results were released today after scientists confirmed the bone pieces belonged to Beethoven.




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