Skeleton 150 from Stirling Castle, Scotland: The First Evidence of Trebuchet Trauma in the Archaeological Record
2026-08-05 –, Historischer Hörsaal

Skeletal evidence of medieval warfare is characterised by sharp force trauma, with some evidence of thrusting weapons and projectiles. While the use of siege engines is well documented, we believe this is the first evidence of trebuchet trauma in the archaeological record. We examined all 9 individuals excavated at Stirling Castle for evidence of trauma related to the Scottish Wars of Independence (1296-1328 and 1332-1357). Stirling Castle was besieged in 1304 by Edward I, who utilised siege engines, including the ‘War Wolf’ trebuchet. This paper focuses on Skeleton 150 (male, 22-34 years). We used radiography, microscopy and micro-CT scanning to augment macroscopic analysis. SK150 was notable for having over 160 peri-mortem fractures across his skeleton, from the top of his cranium to his knees. Detailed analysis indicates this peri-mortem trauma was all blunt-force. Patterning of fractures indicates that the focus of impact was around the right shoulder and the back of the cranium, with higher fragmentation in this area. Comparison with known forensic cases indicates this trauma was the result of a single, high-velocity impact, probably to a living individual with forearms flexed in front of the body and bearing weight through the lower limbs and feet. This research highlights the importance of meticulous recording of trauma and careful differentiation between peri-mortem and post-mortem fractures. It highlights the brutality of medieval warfare. The lack of directly comparable forensic cases remains a limitation. Future research needs to focus on the significance of blunt force trauma alongside weapon trauma in medieval contexts.