[A murder case from 900 years ago? Analysis of extensive cranial trauma observed in a historical skeleton recovered in central Poland].

This work presents the results of study of a human skeleton from the early Middle Ages recovered in Pecławice (province of Łódź), presenting signs of extensive cranial trauma suffered perimortem. The skeleton belonged to a 20-30 year-old male of sturdy build, with prominent bone processes, marked right-side asymmetry of the bones and joints of the upper extremities, and tallness (stature well above average for early medieval times). Except for the skull, the skeleton lacks any pathologic or traumatic lesions. The right side of the skull bears signs of three extensive injuries involving the frontal and parietal bones and the temporomandibular joint. Two of them penetrated deeply into the cranial cavity. The nature and location of the lesions suggests that the axe was used and that the victim was not confronted face-to-face. None of the lesions show any signs of healing. Fragmentation of the facial bones, which were mostly incomplete except for the well-preserved mandible, suggests additional blows to the face. These massive injuries must have been fatal due to damage to the brain and main blood vessels of the neck and thus they were recognized as the cause of death of the individual.