The sharp end of crusader warfare

[Erpingham]

I have an interest in the archaeology of combat casualties, so this recent report about a mass grave in Sidon of interest.  These poor chaps appear to be defenders cut down outside the defences by cavalry, judging from the predominance of head, neck and shoulder wounds.  They had been left to partially decay before eventual burial.

There is a curious "what if" related to the bodies.  The casualties may come from a Mamluk attack in 1253.  Some months after this attack, Louis IX came to Sidon and, noticing corpses decaying around organised a clean up.  As befits a man destined to be saint, he helped carry some of the remains himself, despite the smell.  Did Louis bury the people in this pit?