English archaeologists have announced today that a cemetery discovered in 2004 is very likely to have been the final resting place of gladiators. Clues to their origins includes animal bite marks found on the bodies, the asymmetry of their arms, and the items that were found with their graves.
The York Archaeological Trust excavated 80 burials in York, on a site that was part of a large cemetery during the Roman period, across the river from the legionary fortress.
The burials are dated to between the early 2nd century to the late 3rd century, and probably cover most of the period of Roman occupation in northern England (about AD70-410). Almost all are male, and the vast majority are adults – which is very usual for a Roman cemetery.
Kurt Hunter-Mann, who is leading the research at York Archaeological Trust, said the first unusual piece of evidence is that many of these individuals were decapitated: “The skulls were literally found somewhere else in the grave — not on top of the shoulders. We could see that in quite a few cases the skulls had been chopped with some kind of heavy bladed weapon, a sword or in one or two cases an axe. But they were buried with a degree of care. There are no mass pits. Most of them are buried individually.”
Theories were put forward that these men could have been soldiers, or executed criminals, but Hunter-Mann explains, “there are numerous pieces of evidence that point towards or are consistent with the interpretation that the skeletons are Roman gladiators.”
One of the most significant pieces of evidence supporting the ‘gladiator’ conclusion is a large carnivore bite mark – probably inflicted by a lion, tiger or bear, which archaeologists believe may have been sustained in an arena context
Other evidence includes a high incidence of substantial arm asymmetry – a feature mentioned in ancient Roman literature in connection with a gladiator; some healed and unhealed weapon injuries; possible hammer blows to the head. The researchers believe that the gladiators were all beheaded as a local practice, as in other parts of the Roman Empire they would have typically been killed by a cut to the throat.
Forensic anthropology expert Dr Michael Wysocki told Heritage-Key that the bite-mark found on one of the indivduals is perhaps the most important evidence that he was a gladiator fighting in an arena. ”It would seem highly unlikely this individual was attacked by a tiger as he was walking home from the pub in York 2,000 years ago, he said.”
Another interesting factor is despite the evidence of a harsh lifestyle and a violent death, these people had been carefully buried. There was also evidence that funerary feasting had taken place at the cemetery; this often occurred on the anniversary of the death of loved ones.
The researchers also found that 14 individuals were interred together with grave goods to accompany them to the next world. One man were what appear to have been the remains of substantial joints of meat from at least four horses, possibly consumed at the funeral, plus some cow and pig remains.
The British television network Channel 4 is airing a documentary on June 14th entitled Gladiators: Back from the Dead, which “follows archaeologists and forensic anthropologists as they analyse dozens of Roman skeletons found in Britain over recent years: individuals who evidence shows came from across the Roman Empire. And, using injuries found on the bones, including weapon cut marks and even large carnivore bite marks, as well as evidence of heavy training, the programme re-creates ancient gladiatorial life and death.”
The York Archaeological Trust is also setting up a website – www.headlessromans.co.uk – next week, which will reveal more details about the discovery and present the various theories about who these people were. Hunter-Mann adds, “At present our lead theory is that many of these skeletons are those of Roman gladiators…But the research is continuing and we must therefore keep an open mind.”
“This is a fascinating discovery that gives a real insight into the world of interpreting archaeology,” says York Archaeological Trust Chief Executive, John Walker. “With archaeology, you are very rarely dealing in the definite. There are almost always elements of ‘possibly’ and ‘probably’ and the archaeologist’s job is to weigh up the evidence and make an informed judgement on the most likely explanation.”
Sources: York Archaeological Trust, Channel 4, Heritage Key, BBC, The Times
