Archaeologists Open 600-Year-Old Sarcophagi at Royal Monastery of Santes Creus

A century after century, conversations echoed against the archways of a monastery in Spain, as footsteps shuffled through and sunlight came and went. However, it wasn't until last April that the undisturbed stone sarcophagi, known to house the tombs of several noble families from the 1300s, were finally opened as part of a restoration project at the Royal Monastery of Santes Creus, as announced by the Catalonia Department of Culture on Feb. 26.

Archaeological Unveiling

Archaeologists uncovered remains identified as Catalan nobility from the 13th and 14th centuries, as they opened six stone sarcophagi built into one of the walls of the cloister. Despite long-held assumptions of the sarcophagi being empty, the lids were removed to reveal well-preserved human remains, along with fragments of fabric or other textiles still contained within some burials.

Unexpected Preservation

Archaeologist Josep Maria Vila expressed surprise at the well-preserved condition of the human remains inside the sarcophagi, stating, “In principle, there shouldn’t be human remains in such good condition inside the sarcophagi, because they should have been looted. Instead, the burials were 'as the monks had left it.'”

Ongoing Analysis

Researchers are currently conducting analysis on the remains to further identify the individuals, determine how they died, and gain insight into other aspects of their daily lives. The restoration work at the monastery continues as the archaeological findings shed light on the history of the region.

Location and Significance

The Royal Monastery of Santes Creus is situated in the Catalonia region, approximately 40 miles west of Barcelona. This discovery adds to the rich cultural and historical significance of the area, showcasing the enduring legacy of the noble families from centuries past.