An extensive investigation into the medieval tombs at Barcelona's Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes has uncovered a startling mystery: several tombs do not contain the remains of the individuals historically assigned to them. The monastery, founded in 1326 by Queen Elisenda of Montcada, is celebrating its 700th anniversary with a multidisciplinary research project that has yielded several unexpected discoveries.
Researchers found that many of the tombs had been reopened and altered over centuries, leading to the displacement of remains. In one instance, the tomb of Artau de Foces contained the remains of five individuals—two adult women and three children—instead of a single male figure. Similarly, the tomb of Francesca Saportella, the monastery's second abbess, held at least nine individuals from later periods, some showing signs of wounds from bladed weapons, and a mummified female torso with fetal remains. The abbess herself was not among the identified individuals.
During the three-year excavation and research project, which involved the approval of the monastery's community of nuns, archaeologists uncovered more than 200 archaeological samples, including funerary offerings and preserved plants, alongside the 25 individuals found in eight tombs. The team was able to identify various funerary rites through archaeobotanical analysis, noting the presence of plants like rosemary, associated with body preparation, and floral offerings with symbolic significance. Objects from daily life were also found within some tombs, wrapped in bundles.
Queen Elisenda's own tomb was found to be in excellent condition, with the wooden box dating to the medieval period. Her remains indicated that she wore simple clothing and exhibited health conditions typical of old age. Researchers have recovered approximately 6% of Queen Elisenda's genome, providing preliminary insights into her pigmentation traits. Further DNA testing is planned through 2027.
The findings offer significant insights into 14th-century life and funerary culture in medieval Catalan society. According to project communications officer Enric Puga, all studied remains will be returned to the monastery for reinterment in their original locations, honoring Queen Elisenda's final will.