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Startling mystery revealed in centuries-old royal tombs at powerful queen’s monastery
Archaeologists in Barcelona have uncovered a puzzling discrepancy after opening centuries-old royal tombs at the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes, finding that several graves did not contain the remains they were expected to hold. The exhumations formed part of a wider multidisciplinary study marking the 700th anniversary of the monastery's founding, and the unexpected findings raise fresh questions about the site's medieval history and burial records.
The Gothic monastery was established in 1326 by Queen Elisenda of Montcada, wife of King James II of Aragon, and has stood for nearly 700 years. Local officials have begun releasing the initial results of the investigation, which combined archaeological and scientific analysis of the tombs, though full details on which remains were misidentified and why have yet to be fully explained.
In short
- Barcelona researchers opened medieval royal tombs at Elisenda's monastery
- Several tombs contained remains different from those expected
- Findings mark the monastery's 700th anniversary investigation
Explained simply
Archaeologists in Barcelona have opened centuries-old royal tombs at a historic monastery and discovered something unexpected: some graves do not contain the remains they were supposed to hold. This finding has emerged during a major study of the site marking its 700th anniversary.
The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes was founded in 1326 by Queen Elisenda of Montcada, wife of King James II of Aragon. The Gothic monastery has survived for nearly seven centuries as a significant religious and royal institution.
The discovery is significant because it reveals potential gaps in the monastery's historical records and raises questions about how burials were managed over the centuries. Researchers are now investigating the cause of these discrepancies, drawing on scientific analysis alongside traditional archaeology.
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