On the western edge of medieval Lund’s Trinitatis cemetery, archaeologists in Sweden found a grave that revealed how Medieval Scandinavians lived with disability.
Beneath the earth, next to the foundation stones of a long-gone church tower, lay the skeleton of a man who had once been profoundly injured. His left knee was shattered so badly that the thighbone healed at a grotesque 45-degree angle. He would never have walked unaided again. And yet, in death, he was honored with one of the most prestigious burials available.
This discovery is at the heart of a new study published in Open Archaeology by Blair Nolan and colleagues at Lund University. The team combined traditional osteology, historical texts, and advanced 3D modeling—hosted through the university’s AIR system—to reconstruct the lived experience of disability in the late Middle Ages. It’s the first study of its kind applied to medieval remains in the Nordic region.
Crippled but Not Cast Aside in the Middle Ages
The man, now referred to as Individual 2399, was about 30 when he died. He had suffered his bad injury roughly a decade earlier, sometime in his twenties—possibly from a horse kick or a heavy object falling on him during construction work. His femur snapped at the knee, the joint dislocated entirely. The damage was catastrophic, and even by today’s standards, it would be difficult to treat.
Scans and radiographs revealed not just the break but its consequences: dense new bone formations, signs of infection, and fusion of the kneecap to the femur. The presence of a cloaca—a channel through which pus from infected marrow drained—confirmed he had lived for years with chronic osteomyelitis.
Despite the pain and difficulty, individual 2399 survived. The bones tell a story of long-term care. He likely received ointments made from opium, alcohol, and lavender oil, and had his wound regularly cleaned and drained.
In short, he wasn’t left to suffer alone.
“Individual 2399 would have needed the assistance of caregivers for daily functions during this acute phase and then other forms of physical assistance long-term,” the study notes.
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Evidence suggests he used crutches or a leg brace. Stress markers in his arms and spine show how he compensated for his damaged leg, shifting weight and moving with strain. The injury, researchers believe, significantly limited his mobility but did not remove him from society.
Between Sin and Status
Medieval Scandinavia viewed physical disability through a complicated lens. In Christian doctrine, it could be seen as divine punishment—or as a spiritual test. Legal codes complicated things even further: injuries that were visible were considered more severe than those that could be hidden under clothing. In some cases, bodily disfigurement was itself a form of criminal punishment.
And yet, this man was buried in one of the most honored spots in the cemetery. His grave, placed directly atop the church tower’s foundation, suggests not only respect but social privilege.
“It is apparent that the experience of disability post-trauma was affected by their social status,” the authors write. “This distinction may have superseded the identity of living with disability.”
Burial location in medieval Lund was closely tied to wealth and social standing. People of high status—merchants, councilmen, clergy—paid dearly for graves near churches. To be laid to rest where individual 2399 was found meant he likely belonged to the burgher class, a segment of society wealthy enough to secure a comfortable life, and, evidently, a dignified death.
The Value of Care
This skeleton offers something more than a clinical case study. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how medieval people treated those who were visibly and permanently injured.
Modern frameworks, such as the World Health Organization’s biopsychosocial model, understand disability as shaped by both biology and society. The study’s interdisciplinary method allows us to apply that same lens to the past.
Nolan and his team also embraced digital tools to share their findings. Through the AIR (Archaeological Interactive Report) platform, they created high-resolution 3D models of the bones, complete with annotations. These models are freely accessible, allowing researchers and the public alike to examine the injury from all angles.
“Deducing social norms regarding physical impairment and disability from religious and legal texts is difficult because it presents an idealized perspective,” said Nolan. “We can enrich our understanding of disability and identity through detailed osteological and archaeological analysis.”
Old Bones, New Perspectives
Despite his visible impairment, individual 2399 received long-term care and was laid to rest in a place of honor. His life, lived with disability, was not defined by rejection, but by resilience, access, and respect.
The study’s implications hint at a more complex—and perhaps more compassionate—view of disability in medieval Europe than the one we’ve come to expect. It invites us to reconsider how physical difference was perceived, accommodated, and integrated into everyday life.
As we dig into the past, it’s easy to expect stories of cruelty and neglect. But sometimes, the bones surprise us.
