Workers preparing the ground for a new £250 million Army barracks have discovered at least 11 Roman skeletons and a rare coin dating back nearly 2,000 years.
Artefacts found with the bones included a coin of the emperor Valens, who reigned between 364 and 378AD.
Archaeologists were excited by the find at Worthy Down near Winchester, Hampshire, as it revealed a range of burial practices.
One of the bodies had been decapitated with the head placed between the legs.
Roman skeletons found at new Army barracks: Eleven bodies found at site in Hampshire including one that had been decapitated
Artefacts found along with the bodies included an ancient rare coin
One body was found decapitated with its head between its legs
Archaeologists are 'excited' about the site as it shows a range of burials
Further excavation will continue soon to record burials in adjacent areas
By Daily Mail Reporter
24 December 2015
Daily Mail
Workers preparing the ground for a new £250 million Army barracks have discovered at least 11 Roman skeletons and a rare coin dating back nearly 2,000 years.
Artefacts found with the bones included a coin of the emperor Valens, who reigned between 364 and 378AD.
Archaeologists were excited by the find at Worthy Down near Winchester, Hampshire, as it revealed a range of burial practices.
Ancient find: An archaeologist working on one of the Roman skeletons found at the barracks in Hampshire
One of the bodies had been decapitated with the head placed between the legs.
Two were found with the bodies and legs fully extended, but lying on their side, a rare practice with an unknown significance.
A fourth was curled up on its side, while seven of the bodies seem to have been buried wearing hobnailed shoes or boots.
The burials were discovered during preparatory works by Skanska, the contractor redeveloping the Worthy Down site near Winchester, Hants, on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
This indicated that they were likely to date from the 3rd or 4th Century AD, which was the late Roman period in Britain.
Tracy Matthews, Winchester Council's archaeology officer, said: 'This is a really exciting discovery and has given us the first extensive remains of the Roman period in this area.
'Analysis of the finds will provide a fascinating insight into the lives and deaths of some of the area's early inhabitants.'
Stuart Adamson, Project Manager for DIO, said: 'It's been fascinating for all of us to see history coming to life around us as the project progresses.
How the new £250 million Army barracks at Worthy Down will look
'We're taking every care to ensure that the archaeology is properly excavated, investigated and recorded while also making sure the project is not delayed as a result of this interesting discovery.'
The site is currently being redeveloped as part of Project Wellesley, which is relocating of much of the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration.
It will provide specialist training in areas including catering, supply, transport and military human resources.
A further phase of excavation will take place in the next few weeks to record and recover burials exposed in the adjacent areas.
Read more: Roman skeletons found at Hampshire's new Army barracks in Worthy Down | Daily Mail Online
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Artefacts found with the bones included a coin of the emperor Valens, who reigned between 364 and 378AD.
Archaeologists were excited by the find at Worthy Down near Winchester, Hampshire, as it revealed a range of burial practices.
One of the bodies had been decapitated with the head placed between the legs.
Roman skeletons found at new Army barracks: Eleven bodies found at site in Hampshire including one that had been decapitated
Artefacts found along with the bodies included an ancient rare coin
One body was found decapitated with its head between its legs
Archaeologists are 'excited' about the site as it shows a range of burials
Further excavation will continue soon to record burials in adjacent areas
By Daily Mail Reporter
24 December 2015
Daily Mail
Workers preparing the ground for a new £250 million Army barracks have discovered at least 11 Roman skeletons and a rare coin dating back nearly 2,000 years.
Artefacts found with the bones included a coin of the emperor Valens, who reigned between 364 and 378AD.
Archaeologists were excited by the find at Worthy Down near Winchester, Hampshire, as it revealed a range of burial practices.
Ancient find: An archaeologist working on one of the Roman skeletons found at the barracks in Hampshire
One of the bodies had been decapitated with the head placed between the legs.
Two were found with the bodies and legs fully extended, but lying on their side, a rare practice with an unknown significance.
A fourth was curled up on its side, while seven of the bodies seem to have been buried wearing hobnailed shoes or boots.
The burials were discovered during preparatory works by Skanska, the contractor redeveloping the Worthy Down site near Winchester, Hants, on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
This indicated that they were likely to date from the 3rd or 4th Century AD, which was the late Roman period in Britain.
Tracy Matthews, Winchester Council's archaeology officer, said: 'This is a really exciting discovery and has given us the first extensive remains of the Roman period in this area.
'Analysis of the finds will provide a fascinating insight into the lives and deaths of some of the area's early inhabitants.'
Stuart Adamson, Project Manager for DIO, said: 'It's been fascinating for all of us to see history coming to life around us as the project progresses.
How the new £250 million Army barracks at Worthy Down will look
'We're taking every care to ensure that the archaeology is properly excavated, investigated and recorded while also making sure the project is not delayed as a result of this interesting discovery.'
The site is currently being redeveloped as part of Project Wellesley, which is relocating of much of the Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration.
It will provide specialist training in areas including catering, supply, transport and military human resources.
A further phase of excavation will take place in the next few weeks to record and recover burials exposed in the adjacent areas.
Read more: Roman skeletons found at Hampshire's new Army barracks in Worthy Down | Daily Mail Online
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