In a groundbreaking revelation, scholars have confirmed that a document long held by Harvard University is not a mere copy but an original Magna Carta, one of only seven surviving from King Edward I's 1300 issue. This discovery, made by experts from King's College London and the University of East Anglia, underscores the document's unparalleled significance in the annals of legal and constitutional history.

The Magna Carta, originally sealed by King John in 1215, is celebrated as the first written articulation of the principle that no one, not even the king, is above the law. Harvard's version, purchased in the 1940s for what would now be a modest sum, was previously catalogued as a copy. However, meticulous analysis of its dimensions and handwriting has now authenticated it as an original, linking it directly to the Confirmation of the Charters by Edward I.

Professor David Carpenter of King's College London, who played a pivotal role in this discovery, emphasized the document's importance. 'Harvard's Magna Carta deserves celebration, not as some mere copy, stained and faded, but as an original of one of the most significant documents in world constitutional history,' he stated. This finding not only enriches our understanding of the Magna Carta's legacy but also highlights the enduring relevance of its principles in contemporary legal systems.

The authentication of Harvard's Magna Carta as an original brings the total number of known surviving originals to 25, a testament to the document's rarity and historical value. As scholars continue to explore its implications, this discovery serves as a reminder of the Magna Carta's foundational role in shaping modern democracy and the rule of law. The document's journey from a misclassified copy to a celebrated original mirrors the evolving appreciation of our shared legal heritage.

A remarkable collection of scientific papers belonging to Alan Turing, the renowned Second World War codebreaker and pioneer of computer science, has been discovered in a loft and is set to be auctioned next month. The archive, which includes a signed personal copy of Turing's 1939 PhD dissertation 'Systems Of Logic Based On Ordinals' and his seminal 1937 paper 'On Computable Numbers', was nearly shredded before its historical significance was recognized.

The papers, described as the first programming manual of the computer age, were originally gifted to Turing's friend and fellow mathematician Norman Routledge by Turing's mother, Ethel. After Routledge's death in 2013, the documents were stored in a relative's loft, where they remained unnoticed until recently. The discovery was made when Routledge's nieces and nephews were sorting through his belongings and considered discarding the papers, unaware of their value.

Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire, which is handling the sale, has valued Turing's PhD dissertation alone at between £40,000 and £60,000. The collection also includes letters from novelist EM Forster and a telegram from Turing to Routledge, adding to its historical and academic significance. The papers, known as 'offprints', were produced in limited quantities for academic circles, making them rare finds in today's market.

Alan Turing's contributions to computer science and his role in breaking the Enigma code during the Second World War have cemented his legacy as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. The upcoming auction offers a unique opportunity for collectors and institutions to own a piece of this legacy, shedding light on the personal and professional life of a man whose work continues to impact the world today.