Los sepulcros de la iglesia de San Pedro de Tabira (Durango). Estudio antropológico

Abstract

Studies have been made of the anthropological remains in the Sepulchres existing under the Chancel of the Church of Saint Peter of Tabira (Durango) which, according to tradition, contain the remains of the Lords of Durango. From amongst these remains, at least 5 or 6 adults, one youth and 3 to 5 children have been found. The best conserved of these are two adult skeletons, one male and the other female. The study indicates that the buried bodies show anthropological characteristics often used when describing present-day Basques. However, this anthropological evidence does not permit confirmation of the popular legend about the Counts of Durango nor of the death of the male in battle, given that the cranial injuries observed in this individual can be attributed to the development of non-malignant tumors of the bone, which in no way caused his death.