Almost 1,200 skeletons examined

Analyses of the finds from three mass graves show that about 60 per cent were men aged 20-35. Given the living conditions and life expectancy in the 1300s, this was presumably what was considered “fighting age”. The average height was just under 170 centimetres. The average height of Swedish men today is around 180 centimetres.

Even if evidence exists of women’s participation in medieval battles, there is nothing in the material to indicate that this was the case in 1361. Isolated finds have been deemed to come from women, but this assessment is not definite. These bones have no stab wounds and could be from nuns buried in the adjoining convent cemetery.

Since they have no injuries, finds of partial skeletons from children, around nine and twelve years old, might also come from older burials.