Archaeologists Find Woman Subjected To Horrific Torture ‘From Hell’
The remains, dating back to the 13th century, revealed a harrowing story etched in the bones – a story of deliberate, methodical torture that ended in a botched execution.
The discovery, detailed in a study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science , was made by scientists from the University of Milan. The team, which included Cristina Cattaneo and Mirko Mattia, found symmetrical fractures in the victim’s limbs consistent with the use of a “wheel of torture,” also known as a Catherine wheel, a device designed to inflict maximum pain by systematically crushing the bones of the body.
The wheel was a favorite instrument of execution in Europe from ancient times to the Middle Ages, often used against those accused of particularly serious crimes. Victims were typically tied to a wheel and their limbs were smashed with heavy instruments.
The smashed limbs were then woven into the spokes of the wheel, which was then lifted upward, leaving the condemned person to die slowly from their injuries. In some cases, the torture lasted for days, with the victim exposed to the elements and scavengers.
Further examination of the Milan skeleton revealed additional injuries: a deep fracture at the base of the skull, likely caused by a violent blow during a clumsy attempt at decapitation. This suggests that the executioners, perhaps in an effort to end the victim’s suffering, dealt her a final, fatal blow, albeit not a very precise one.
Interestingly, the young man had physical anomalies, including short stature and cranial abnormalities, which may have made him stand out in society.
During times of plague and social unrest, such differences often led to people being accused of spreading disease or witchcraft. Researchers speculate that social discrimination may have played a role in his gruesome fate, reflecting the dark side of medieval justice.
The discovery represents the first archaeological evidence of execution on the wheel in medieval northern Italy
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