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Monastery Tombs Reveal 25 Remains, Queen Elisenda’s DNA

7/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes uncovered 25 individuals in eight tombs, including two women and three children in Artau de Foces tomb.
Francesca Saportella’s tomb held nine individuals with weapon wounds and a mummified female with fetal remains, but no abbess.
Queen Elisenda’s tomb, sealed in a medieval wooden box, remained intact and yielded health data and 6% genome recovery, with DNA testing continuing through 2027.

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Story summary

Researchers at the Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes uncovered 25 individuals in eight tombs, including two women and three children in Artau de Foces tomb.
Francesca Saportella’s tomb held nine individuals with weapon wounds and a mummified female with fetal remains, but no abbess.
Queen Elisenda’s tomb, sealed in a medieval wooden box, remained intact and yielded health data and 6% genome recovery, with DNA testing continuing through 2027.