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Remains of medieval Queen Elisenda, 24 others unearthed in Barcelona monastery

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • Archaeologists in Barcelona have unearthed the remains of 25 individuals, including medieval Queen Elisenda de Montcada, in an ongoing project at a 14th-century monastery.
  • The analysis, part of the monastery's 700th-anniversary celebrations, aims to reveal details about Elisenda's life and the living conditions of women in the medieval era.
  • Initial findings indicate a majority of the unearthed remains belong to adult women and children, challenging historical attributions of some tombs and offering insights into medieval health and funerary practices.

Archaeologists in Barcelona have uncovered the remains of 25 individuals, including Queen Elisenda de Montcada, within a 14th-century monastery. The discovery is part of a project at the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes, initiated in 2024 and set to continue until May 2027, coinciding with the monastery's 700th anniversary.

The work, which includes genetic analyses, dating, and material studies, began in 2024 and will continue until May 2027 as part of the monastery’s 700th anniversary celebrations.

— Culture Institute of BarcelonaContext for the ongoing archaeological project at the monastery.

The project aims to shed light on the life of Queen Elisenda, who was married to King James II of Aragon and served as regent during his absence. After his death, she lived adjacent to the monastery for 37 years. Analysis of her tomb confirmed the remains belonged to the queen, aged around 70, and were found with traces of austere clothing, possibly a monastic habit, and fragments of tinsel and silk.

Beyond Elisenda's tomb, excavations in eight other graves revealed unexpected findings. For instance, a tomb attributed to the knight Artau de Foces contained the remains of two women and three children, but no man. Another tomb, belonging to Francesca Saportella, the monastery's second abbess and Elisenda's niece, held at least nine individuals from various periods. Overall, most of the 25 individuals identified were adult women, some appearing older than typical for the medieval period, alongside several children and adolescents.

A majority of the 25 individuals identified were adult women, some of a more advanced age than that expected for women living in medieval times.

— Culture Institute of BarcelonaDescribing the demographic findings from the unearthed graves.

Researchers are conducting genetic and DNA analyses to confirm identities, determine origins, and identify potential living relatives. The findings also offer insights into the health status of high-status women in the 14th century, with evidence of osteoarticular pathologies suggesting metabolic diseases or traumatic injuries. The exhumation is also providing a rare glimpse into the funerary practices of the medieval monastery.

Researchers also identified the presence of osteoarticular pathologies, indicative of either metabolic diseases or traumatic injuries, which may provide insight into the living conditions and health status of the high-status female community in the 14th century.

— Culture Institute of BarcelonaExplaining potential health insights derived from the skeletal remains.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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