Archaeologists have unearthed what is believed to be the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery - not in Rome but in the English city of York.
Around 80 skeletons were found in a residential area of the ancient city and are believed to be 2,000 years old.
The horrific injuries the men sustained indicates that they may have been gladiators, ripped to shreds by lions or tigers or struck by a blow from an opposing gladiator as the crowd roared in delight. It is highly unlikely that anyone other than a gladiator would have received lion or tiger bites.
Analysis of their bones has shown the gladiators came from every corner of the Roman Empire, including Africa and the Mediterranean, suggesting the Romans imported skilled fighters.
The remains in York date from the end of the first century AD to the 4th century, when Roman power broke down in Britain.
The research is to be shown in a Channel 4 documentary, which aims to recreate the world of the gladiator in Roman Britain.
Britain was part of the Roman Empire for 367 years, from 43 to 410, and the Romans founded many British cities, including London (Londinium). York (Eboracum) was founded by the Romans in 71.
There have been 20 Roman ampitheatres discovered so far in Britain - 14 in England, 4 in Wales and 2 in Scotland. The largest is in Chester.
Maximus... of York: Unearthed, the skeletons of 80 gladiators slaughtered for the crowds in Roman Britain
By Vanessa Allen
8th June 2010
Daily Mail
Slaughtered in the arena by tigers, or killed by a hammer blow from a fellow fighter, they died to entertain bloodthirsty crowds.
Such a savage spectacle is mostly associated with ancient Rome, but historians believe they have uncovered an entire cemetery of gladiators in the North of England.
The 2,000-year-old remains of almost 80 young men, mutilated by horrific injuries, were found by archaeologists as they excavated a residential area of York.
Excavation: Kurt Hunter-Mann, right, a field officer at York Archaeological Trust, examines a skeleton unearthed at a site in York
Buried: The site may be part of the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery
Their discovery initially baffled experts, who believed the men could have been the victims of a mass execution.
But a team of archaeologists and Waking The Dead-style forensic scientists believe they have solved the mystery.
They claim the men's injuries - including many decapitations and an apparent tiger bite to one skeleton - suggest they were gladiators who met a bloody end.
Like the fighters depicted by Russell Crowe in the hit film Gladiator, they were expected to fight to the death.
Some skeletons showed healed injuries from weapons, and one had suffered a large bite mark which matched the size of a lion or tiger's incisor tooth.
All the individuals are described as robust and tall. Their skeletons show signs they were heavily muscled from weapons training.
Blood sport: Romans brought gladiator fighting to rainy Britain almost 2,000 years ago. Twenty ampitheatres have so far been unearthed in Britain, the largest being in Chester
Discovery: Historians believe gladiators used to fight in the north of England
Forensic anthropology lecturer Dr Michael Wysocki said: 'The presence of bite marks is one of the strongest pieces of evidence suggesting an arena connection. 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.'
The team's research is to be shown in a Channel 4 documentary, which aims to recreate the world of the gladiator in Roman Britain.
Historians believe the excavation is the world's only well-preserved gladiator cemetery.
Roman Britain: Historians believe men in the north of England would fight in gladiator-style battles, like those depicted by Russell Crowe, left, in the film Gladiator
Romans brought gladiator fighting to Britain almost 2,000 years ago, and built arenas and amphitheatres in important Roman cities including London and Chester.
The remains in York date from the end of the first century AD to the 4th century, when Roman power broke down in Britain.
Kurt Hunter-Mann, of York Archaeological Trust, said the men had suffered many injuries, including hammer blows to the head - a known method for a gladiator to dispatch an opponent.
Gladiator cemetery: Forensic Anthropologist Dr Michael Wysocki examines bones unearthed at a site in York
Gladiators ready! A skull unearthed at a site in York, featured in the Channel 4 documentary
Analysis of their bones has shown they came from every corner of the Empire, including Africa and the Mediterranean, suggesting the Romans imported skilled fighters.
Many were buried with honours which researchers believe shows they had built fearsome reputations. The skeleton of one fighter, aged between 18 and 23, was found with the remains of four horses, and some cow and pig bones.
Gladiators: Back from the Dead is due to be screened on Channel 4 on Monday, June 14, at 9pm.
From Emperor Constantius I to Dick Turpin - The fascinating and bloody history of York
Dick Turpin was executed in 1739 at the location where York horse racing course is now situated
York was founded by the Romans in 71AD. They called it Eboracum, a name perhaps derived from one used by the British tribes who inhabited the area. The first mention of York by this name is dated to c. 95–104 AD as an address on a wooden stylus tablet from the Roman fortress of Vindolanda in Northumberland. The Romans made York the capital of their Province of Britannia Inferior, modern day northern England (southern England was Brittania Superior). The name 'Eboracum' was turned into 'Eoforwic' by the Anglo-Saxons in the 7th century. This was probably by conflation of 'ebor' with a Germanic root *eburaz (boar); by the 7th century the Old English for boar had become 'eofor', and Eboracum 'Eoforwic'. The 'wic' simply signified 'place'. When the Danish army conquered the city in 866, the name became rendered as 'Jórvík'. Jórvík was gradually reduced to York in the centuries following the Norman Conquest. The Emperors Hadrian, Septimius Severus and Constantius I all held court in York during their various campaigns. Constantius I died in 306 AD during his stay in York, and his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor by the troops based in the fortress. The Romans left Britannia in 410AD. In the 7th century York became the chief city of the Anglo-Saxon King Edwin of Northumbria. In 1190, York was the site of a pogrom of its Jewish inhabitants. The Jews sought sanctuary in Clifford's Tower, the fortification within the city belonging to the Crown. The mob besieged the trapped Jews for some days while preparations were made to storm the castle. Eventually a fire was started, whether by the Jews or their persecutors is uncertain. Several Jews perished in the flames but the majority (including Josce of York and the learned rabbi Yom Tov of Joigny) took their own lives rather than give themselves up to the mob. In 1644, during the English Civil War, the Parliamentarians besieged York, and many medieval houses outside the city walls were lost. The infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was gaoled in York and tried at the York Assizes. Before his execution, Turpin was frequented by visitors - the gaoler was reputed to have earned £100 from selling drinks to Turpin and his guests! For his execution, Turpin bought a new frock coat and shoes, and on the day before his execution hired five mourners for three pounds and ten shillings (to be shared between them). On Saturday 7 April 1739, followed by his mourners, Turpin and John Stead (a horse thief) were taken through York by open cart to Knavesmire, which was then the city's equivalent of London's Tyburn gallows (nowadays it is the site of York racecourse). Turpin "behav'd himself with amazing assurance", and "bow'd to the spectators as he passed". He climbed a ladder to the gallows and spoke to his executioner. York had no permanent hangman, and it was the custom to pardon a prisoner on condition that he acted as executioner. On this occasion, the pardoned man was a fellow highwayman, Thomas Hadfield! An account in The Gentleman's Magazine for 7 April 1739 notes Turpin's brashness: "Turpin behaved in an undaunted manner; as he mounted the ladder, feeling his right leg tremble, he spoke a few words to the topsman, then threw himself off, and expir'd in five minutes."
Enlarge
An artist's impression of the Chester Roman ampitheatre, the largest so far discovered in Britain
The largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain, used for entertainment and military training by the 20th Legion, based at the fortress of 'Deva' (Chester). The ruins currently exposed are those of a large stone amphitheatre, similar to those found in Continental Europe, although a smaller wooden amphitheatre may have existed on the site before. Only the northern half of the structure is exposed; the southern half is covered by buildings. It is said to be the largest so far uncovered in Britain, and dates from the first century CE, when the Roman fort of Deva Victrix was founded, making it around 2000 years old. It would have been primarily used for military training and drill, but would also possibly for circuses, cock fighting, bull baiting and combat sports such as gladiatorial combat. The first amphitheatre is believed to have been a simple structure built by Legio II Adiutrix during their brief posting in Chester at some point in the late 70s, but was soon rebuilt by Legio XX Valeria Victrix when Legio II Adiutrix were reposted to the Danube region in 86. This amphitheatre fell into disuse when Legio XX were assigned to the construction of Hadrian's Wall, and upon their return around 275, the amphitheatre was once again rebuilt. The amphitheatre fell into disuse around the year 350.
dailymail.co.uk
Around 80 skeletons were found in a residential area of the ancient city and are believed to be 2,000 years old.
The horrific injuries the men sustained indicates that they may have been gladiators, ripped to shreds by lions or tigers or struck by a blow from an opposing gladiator as the crowd roared in delight. It is highly unlikely that anyone other than a gladiator would have received lion or tiger bites.
Analysis of their bones has shown the gladiators came from every corner of the Roman Empire, including Africa and the Mediterranean, suggesting the Romans imported skilled fighters.
The remains in York date from the end of the first century AD to the 4th century, when Roman power broke down in Britain.
The research is to be shown in a Channel 4 documentary, which aims to recreate the world of the gladiator in Roman Britain.
Britain was part of the Roman Empire for 367 years, from 43 to 410, and the Romans founded many British cities, including London (Londinium). York (Eboracum) was founded by the Romans in 71.
There have been 20 Roman ampitheatres discovered so far in Britain - 14 in England, 4 in Wales and 2 in Scotland. The largest is in Chester.
Maximus... of York: Unearthed, the skeletons of 80 gladiators slaughtered for the crowds in Roman Britain
By Vanessa Allen
8th June 2010
Daily Mail
Slaughtered in the arena by tigers, or killed by a hammer blow from a fellow fighter, they died to entertain bloodthirsty crowds.
Such a savage spectacle is mostly associated with ancient Rome, but historians believe they have uncovered an entire cemetery of gladiators in the North of England.
The 2,000-year-old remains of almost 80 young men, mutilated by horrific injuries, were found by archaeologists as they excavated a residential area of York.
Excavation: Kurt Hunter-Mann, right, a field officer at York Archaeological Trust, examines a skeleton unearthed at a site in York
Buried: The site may be part of the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery
Their discovery initially baffled experts, who believed the men could have been the victims of a mass execution.
But a team of archaeologists and Waking The Dead-style forensic scientists believe they have solved the mystery.
They claim the men's injuries - including many decapitations and an apparent tiger bite to one skeleton - suggest they were gladiators who met a bloody end.
Like the fighters depicted by Russell Crowe in the hit film Gladiator, they were expected to fight to the death.
Some skeletons showed healed injuries from weapons, and one had suffered a large bite mark which matched the size of a lion or tiger's incisor tooth.
All the individuals are described as robust and tall. Their skeletons show signs they were heavily muscled from weapons training.
Blood sport: Romans brought gladiator fighting to rainy Britain almost 2,000 years ago. Twenty ampitheatres have so far been unearthed in Britain, the largest being in Chester
Discovery: Historians believe gladiators used to fight in the north of England
Forensic anthropology lecturer Dr Michael Wysocki said: 'The presence of bite marks is one of the strongest pieces of evidence suggesting an arena connection. 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.'
The team's research is to be shown in a Channel 4 documentary, which aims to recreate the world of the gladiator in Roman Britain.
Historians believe the excavation is the world's only well-preserved gladiator cemetery.
Roman Britain: Historians believe men in the north of England would fight in gladiator-style battles, like those depicted by Russell Crowe, left, in the film Gladiator
Romans brought gladiator fighting to Britain almost 2,000 years ago, and built arenas and amphitheatres in important Roman cities including London and Chester.
The remains in York date from the end of the first century AD to the 4th century, when Roman power broke down in Britain.
Kurt Hunter-Mann, of York Archaeological Trust, said the men had suffered many injuries, including hammer blows to the head - a known method for a gladiator to dispatch an opponent.
Gladiator cemetery: Forensic Anthropologist Dr Michael Wysocki examines bones unearthed at a site in York
Gladiators ready! A skull unearthed at a site in York, featured in the Channel 4 documentary
Analysis of their bones has shown they came from every corner of the Empire, including Africa and the Mediterranean, suggesting the Romans imported skilled fighters.
Many were buried with honours which researchers believe shows they had built fearsome reputations. The skeleton of one fighter, aged between 18 and 23, was found with the remains of four horses, and some cow and pig bones.
Gladiators: Back from the Dead is due to be screened on Channel 4 on Monday, June 14, at 9pm.
From Emperor Constantius I to Dick Turpin - The fascinating and bloody history of York
Dick Turpin was executed in 1739 at the location where York horse racing course is now situated
York was founded by the Romans in 71AD. They called it Eboracum, a name perhaps derived from one used by the British tribes who inhabited the area. The first mention of York by this name is dated to c. 95–104 AD as an address on a wooden stylus tablet from the Roman fortress of Vindolanda in Northumberland. The Romans made York the capital of their Province of Britannia Inferior, modern day northern England (southern England was Brittania Superior). The name 'Eboracum' was turned into 'Eoforwic' by the Anglo-Saxons in the 7th century. This was probably by conflation of 'ebor' with a Germanic root *eburaz (boar); by the 7th century the Old English for boar had become 'eofor', and Eboracum 'Eoforwic'. The 'wic' simply signified 'place'. When the Danish army conquered the city in 866, the name became rendered as 'Jórvík'. Jórvík was gradually reduced to York in the centuries following the Norman Conquest. The Emperors Hadrian, Septimius Severus and Constantius I all held court in York during their various campaigns. Constantius I died in 306 AD during his stay in York, and his son Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor by the troops based in the fortress. The Romans left Britannia in 410AD. In the 7th century York became the chief city of the Anglo-Saxon King Edwin of Northumbria. In 1190, York was the site of a pogrom of its Jewish inhabitants. The Jews sought sanctuary in Clifford's Tower, the fortification within the city belonging to the Crown. The mob besieged the trapped Jews for some days while preparations were made to storm the castle. Eventually a fire was started, whether by the Jews or their persecutors is uncertain. Several Jews perished in the flames but the majority (including Josce of York and the learned rabbi Yom Tov of Joigny) took their own lives rather than give themselves up to the mob. In 1644, during the English Civil War, the Parliamentarians besieged York, and many medieval houses outside the city walls were lost. The infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was gaoled in York and tried at the York Assizes. Before his execution, Turpin was frequented by visitors - the gaoler was reputed to have earned £100 from selling drinks to Turpin and his guests! For his execution, Turpin bought a new frock coat and shoes, and on the day before his execution hired five mourners for three pounds and ten shillings (to be shared between them). On Saturday 7 April 1739, followed by his mourners, Turpin and John Stead (a horse thief) were taken through York by open cart to Knavesmire, which was then the city's equivalent of London's Tyburn gallows (nowadays it is the site of York racecourse). Turpin "behav'd himself with amazing assurance", and "bow'd to the spectators as he passed". He climbed a ladder to the gallows and spoke to his executioner. York had no permanent hangman, and it was the custom to pardon a prisoner on condition that he acted as executioner. On this occasion, the pardoned man was a fellow highwayman, Thomas Hadfield! An account in The Gentleman's Magazine for 7 April 1739 notes Turpin's brashness: "Turpin behaved in an undaunted manner; as he mounted the ladder, feeling his right leg tremble, he spoke a few words to the topsman, then threw himself off, and expir'd in five minutes."
Enlarge
An artist's impression of the Chester Roman ampitheatre, the largest so far discovered in Britain
The largest Roman amphitheatre in Britain, used for entertainment and military training by the 20th Legion, based at the fortress of 'Deva' (Chester). The ruins currently exposed are those of a large stone amphitheatre, similar to those found in Continental Europe, although a smaller wooden amphitheatre may have existed on the site before. Only the northern half of the structure is exposed; the southern half is covered by buildings. It is said to be the largest so far uncovered in Britain, and dates from the first century CE, when the Roman fort of Deva Victrix was founded, making it around 2000 years old. It would have been primarily used for military training and drill, but would also possibly for circuses, cock fighting, bull baiting and combat sports such as gladiatorial combat. The first amphitheatre is believed to have been a simple structure built by Legio II Adiutrix during their brief posting in Chester at some point in the late 70s, but was soon rebuilt by Legio XX Valeria Victrix when Legio II Adiutrix were reposted to the Danube region in 86. This amphitheatre fell into disuse when Legio XX were assigned to the construction of Hadrian's Wall, and upon their return around 275, the amphitheatre was once again rebuilt. The amphitheatre fell into disuse around the year 350.
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