Female Warrior Skeleton Found in Medieval Knight Cemetery in Spain

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the Max Planck Institute have unearthed the remains of a female warrior in a medieval knight cemetery in central Spain. The cemetery, located in the castle of Zorita de los Canes in Guadalajara, dates back to the 12th to 15th centuries and is associated with the Order of Calatrava.

The research team analyzed the remains of 25 individuals buried in the cemetery. Among them, a female skeleton was identified, showing signs of intense physical activity consistent with a warrior or knight. The female skeleton was found with a sword by her side, a typical burial practice for knights during the medieval period.

This discovery challenges traditional views of medieval society, providing evidence of women's participation in combat and their role in medieval warfare. The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of medieval history and the role of women in it.

The discovery challenges traditional views of medieval society, which often portray women as passive and excluded from military activities. This finding provides evidence of women's participation in combat and their role in medieval warfare. The researchers believe that the female warrior may have been a member of the Order of Calatrava, a medieval military order founded in the 12th century.

Carme Rissech, a researcher at the URV, noted the significance of the injuries found on the skeleton: "We have observed many injuries on the upper part of the skull, on the legs and on the inside of the pelvis (of the coxal bone), which agrees with the hypothesis that they are warriors." The woman's skeleton displayed distinct morphological features, including those in the face, birth canal, and pelvis, indicating she was likely a female warrior.

The Castle of Zorita de los Canes was first built in 852 by the emir Muhammad I of Córdoba and later granted to the Order of Calatrava in 1174. The Order of Calatrava, founded by St. Raymond of Fitero, was a military branch of the Cistercian family tasked with defending the border from Almohad incursions.

The research is part of the MONBONES project, which aims to study diet and lifestyle in monasteries during the Middle Ages using a multidisciplinary approach. The project involves researchers from the University of Barcelona and archaeologists who led the excavations.

This discovery provides a unique insight into the lives of medieval warriors and challenges our understanding of the role of women in medieval society. As Carme Rissech emphasized, "I believe that these remains belong to a female warrior, but further analysis is needed to determine to what extent this woman is contemporary with the other knights."

The identification of a female warrior among the medieval knights at Zorita de los Canes opens new avenues for research into the composition and dynamics of medieval military orders. The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of medieval history and the role of women in it.

Key Takeaways

• Female warrior's remains found in medieval knight cemetery in central Spain.
• Skeleton shows signs of intense physical activity, consistent with a warrior.
• Discovery challenges traditional views of medieval society, highlighting women's role in combat.
• Female warrior may have been a member of the Order of Calatrava, a medieval military order.
• Findings provide new insights into medieval history and the role of women in it.