13th-Century Crusaders Mass Grave "Uncovered" in Lebanon

Two mass graves containing 25 Crusaders were unearthed in Lebanon, assumed to be slaughtered in a Holy war during the 13th-century.

A team of archaeologist uncovered the scene at Sidon Castle on the eastern Mediterranean, south Lebanon.

Markings on the remains suggests the soldiers were hit by swords, and arrows. Charring on some bones means they were burned after being dropped into the pit. Other remains show markings on the neck, meaning that the soldiers were captured on the battlefield and later decapitated.

 

Crusaders Records show that Sidon was destroyed in 1253 by Mamluks, and in 1260 by Mongols. The soldiers found in the mass graves were likely slaughtered in one of these battles.

Iron nails, other iron fittings, a silver coin, a silver finger-ring and a copper alloy arrowhead were found along the findings.

Medieval potsherds, residual Persian period potsherds, glass fragments, and a small piece of charred, twisted fiber were also found along the findings.

According to archaeologists, the remains belonged to Crusaders, especially as European belt buckles and the crusader coin were found along the crusaders skeletons.

Moreover, DNA and analyses of their teeth further confirmed that some of the men were European, while others were of mixed European descendants, who migrated to the 'Holy Land' and married with locals.