Recent excavations in Barcelona have uncovered some intriguing mysteries related to a royal tomb, revealing that certain remains inside the graves don’t actually match the individuals assigned to them.
These excavations occurred at the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes, a significant Gothic structure established nearly 700 years ago by Queen Elisenda of Moncada, who was the wife of King James II of Aragon, back in 1326. In light of this monastery’s upcoming 700th anniversary, researchers conducted an in-depth examination of medieval tombs.
Local officials have shared initial findings from a three-year excavation project, which presented unexpected revelations. It turned out that numerous remains were not properly identified according to their respective graves. For instance, in one grave designated for Artaud de Fosses, the researchers found five individuals—two adult women and three children—rather than a solitary male body.
Enric Puga, who serves as a public information officer for the monastery, expressed that discovering the sheer number of bones—25 individuals across eight graves—was quite a surprise. Additionally, they unearthed over 200 archaeological artifacts, including burial items and preserved plant remains.
He explained that some graves had been reopened over time, which complicates identifying the actual occupants of these tombs. A specific example includes the tomb of Francesca Zaportella, where researchers found at least nine individuals, some with knife injuries, and notably, a mummified woman alongside a fetus.
Puga relayed a sense of relief regarding the preservation conditions of the wooden box containing the queen’s remains, noting that it was medieval and well-maintained. Interestingly, despite Queen Elisenda’s royal status, her burial attire was surprisingly simple, and her remains showed signs indicative of aging health issues.
Through archaeobotanical analysis, the team was able to identify various funerary practices, revealing that plants related to body preparations, such as rosemary, were used, alongside floral offerings with symbolic meanings.
Interestingly, Puga mentioned that some tombs were wrapped in bundles, with various artifacts from daily life at that time also discovered. Plans for further DNA testing are on the horizon, anticipated by 2027, and so far, approximately 6% of Queen Elisenda’s genome has been recovered. This has allowed researchers to make preliminary assessments of her pigmentation traits.
Puga ensured that all research was conducted with the approval of the convent’s community of nuns, emphasizing that according to the queen’s final wishes, all remains studied must be returned to their original burial sites.
Overall, Puga noted that these findings provide significant insights into life in the 14th century, contributing to a better understanding of medieval Catalan society, particularly in terms of female power dynamics.
