Scientists have analysed the remains of a medieval man with modern techniques. It revealed the medieval man was struck with a bladed weapon four times 700 years ago.
He managed to block the first blow to his face, before he tried to flee his attacker. But after he turned around, he was hit another three times, quickly killing him.
According to Dr Chiara Tesi from the University of Insubria in Varese, Italy. ‘The young man was struck once from the front, creating a lesion at the top of his skull, before he turned around to try to escape his attacker.’
He was then hit twice more from behind, with the strikes catching his ear and the back of his neck, before he is likely to have fallen to the ground.
Finally, the assailant swung his sword into the back of the man’s skull resulting in his ‘immediate death’.
Speaking to Live Science, Dr Tesi added that the murder was ‘a case of raw violence’ and ‘evident overkill’ from the attacker, suggesting he had a powerful motive for wanting the young man dead.
The final moments of his life were determined by scientists using skeletal remains discovered at the church of San Biagio in Cittiglio, Italy.
In 2006, the skeleton of a decapitated male was located in a tomb near its entrance, which was built in the 11th century.
According to the initial analysis, published in 2008, its prominent location suggests that the man was related to the De Citillio family who established the church.
