Perimortem fractures in the osteological collection of Aljubarrota (Portugal).

The archaeological site of Aljubarrota (Portugal) contained a secondary deposit of human bones. A previous investigation calculated the minimum number of individuals (MNI) as 414 adults, all male, with 52 macroscopically visible perimortem trauma (38 cuts and 14 puncture wounds). Both the archaeological and osteological data demonstrate a relationship between the bone collection and a violent conflict, specifically the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. This article contributes new data on the perimortem lesions documented in this collection. A total of 2762 bone fragments of the cranium and postcranial skeleton were studied, taking account of the demographic profile, taphonomic alterations, paleopathological modifications, and documented entheseal changes. A further 58 perimortem fractures were detected, all produced by blunt-force trauma, in addition to the 52 perimortem injuries previously documented. The most frequent injuries were blunt-force traumas (58), followed by sharp-force injuries (38) and puncture wounds (14). All perimortem fractures detected were in the femur or tibia, predominantly on the left side of the skeleton and mainly affecting the anterior plane of the bone and middle third of the shaft. The morphology and pattern of these perimortem fractures are consistent with their production by blunt or rounded instruments in face-to-face combat. The enthesopathic modifications observed in the femur fragments suggest that they may correspond to individuals on horseback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]