Stirling Castle skeleton shows signs of violent medieval death
Researchers analyzing a 14th-century skeleton, known as ‘Skeleton 150’, have discovered evidence of extreme violence. The remains, which were excavated in 1997 from beneath a chapel at Stirling Castle in Scotland, show a total of 167 bone fractures.
Biological anthropologist Jo Buckberry from the University of Bradford and Patrick Randolph Quinney from Uppsala University conducted the study using X-rays, microscopy, and micro-CT scans. Their findings, presented at the 25th European Meeting of the Paleopathology Association in Berlin, suggest the victim—a man estimated to be between 22 and 34 years old—was killed by a single, massive impact from a dangerous medieval weapon.
The damage is extensive, including 61 fractures on the skull alone, as well as characteristic jagged fracture patterns on the ribs and injuries to the spine, right shoulder, and limbs. The researchers noted that the distribution of the injuries suggests the impact was sudden and likely fatal.
Entities
Jo Buckberry · Patrick Randolph Quinney · Stirling Castle · University of Bradford · Uppsala University
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The man was between 22 and 34 years old at the time of death. www.ikz-online.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.wp.de · www.otz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] Skeleton 150 was excavated in 1997 under a chapel at Stirling Castle in Scotland. www.ikz-online.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.wp.de · www.otz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] There were 61 fractures on the skull alone. www.ikz-online.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.wp.de · www.otz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The man likely died from a dangerous medieval weapon. www.ikz-online.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.wp.de · www.otz.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The skeleton had a total of 167 fractures. www.ikz-online.de · www.thueringer-allgemeine.de · www.wp.de · www.otz.de