Gladiator Cemetery Discovered In England
British archaeologists said they have discovered the world’s best-preserved gladiator cemetery.
The York Archaeological Trust dug up 80 skeletons that date back to the first through fourth centuries AD.
Forensic tests revealed that the majority of the skeletons were male, very robust and mostly above average height.
Most of the skeletons appear to have sustained very violent injuries, like decapitation, and appear to have been buried with some respect.
Gladiators were trained fighters who entertained Roman crowds in savage clashes against other warriors or animals.
The bite marks found on one of the skeletons is one of the biggest hints that points to these bones being from gladiators.
"One of the most significant items of evidence is a large carnivore bite mark — probably inflicted by a lion, tiger or bear — an injury which must have been sustained in an arena context," Kurt Hunter-Mann, who is leading the investigation, told AFP news.
Many of the skeletons had one arm that was stronger than the other, consistent with the frequent handling of a weapon.
"The arm asymmetry would also be consistent with weapons training that had already started in teenage years," Hunter-Mann told AFP, "and we know from Roman accounts that some gladiators entered their profession at a very young age."
He did say, however that the evidence was not conclusive.
"At present our lead theory is that many of these skeletons are those of Roman gladiators," he told AFP.
"So far there are a number of pieces of evidence which point towards that interpretation or are consistent with it. But the research is continuing and we must therefore keep an open mind."
The skeletons were found at the Driffield Terrace site in York, northern England. The Romans founded York as Eboracum in 71 AD.Â
Amphitheaters have been unearthed at different old Roman settlements across England, although archaeologists have yet to find any evidence of an arena in York.
The researchers also consider that the remains might be soldiers. However, the large number of decapitations undermines this theory.
Another potential theory is that the dead were all criminals, but Hunter-Mann reckons that is inconsistent with the respect shown in the way they were buried.
Forensic anthropologists at the University of Central Lancashire contributed to additional research into the skeletons.
"These are internationally important discoveries," Doctor Michael Wysocki, a senior lecturer in forensic anthropology and archaeology at the university, told AFP.
"We don’t have any other potential gladiator cemeteries with this level of preservation anywhere else in the world."
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