A stunning discovery in a 14th-century Barcelona monastery has revealed the remains of Queen Elisenda of Montcada, one of medieval Europe's most powerful rulers-along with 24 other skeletons showing unexplained stab wounds.
Archaeologists opened eight graves at the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria Pedralbes, which Queen Elisenda founded seven centuries ago. The team sought to learn about her life and the living conditions of the female monastic community.
Instead, they found 25 individuals, including the queen herself, with injuries suggesting violence. The Culture Institute of Barcelona announced the findings. The exact cause of the wounds remains under investigation.