Final answer:
The Battle of Visby resulted in various injuries primarily from sharp force trauma due to weapons like swords and axes, accounting for 98.7% of the injuries, along with blunt force trauma from heavy objects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Injuries in the Battle of Visby:
The Battle of Visby resulted in various types of injuries, as evidenced by the skeletal remains studied from mass graves. Sharp force trauma was prevalent, with 98.7% of visible injuries (153 out of 155 cases) caused by sharp weapons like swords, axes, and sickles, which left clean cuts in the bones. Blunt force traumas were also documented, including crush injuries or fractures incurred from heavy blunt instruments like stones or heavy thrown objects that caused widespread contusions. One particular case at Les Requites involved a unique skull injury from a rectangular object, possibly an ax handle or sword handle, which penetrated the bone with sufficient force to shatter the skull.
These findings are consistent with the violent nature of the battle, where weapons were wielded with significant force and skill, causing severe and often fatal wounds. Perimortem injuries, those sustained around the time of death, provide insight into the brutality of medieval combat and the weapons used.