Roman Skulls Washed Up on London Shore
- 11 years ago
In the process of creating a new train route through London, workers and archaeologists have dug up 20 Roman skulls.
In the process of creating a new train route through London, workers and archaeologists have dug up all sorts of fascinating things.
Among the latest finds are 20 Roman skulls. Initial guesses are that they date back to the 3rd or 4th century AD.
Roman skulls have been a regular find in London over the years. A popular theory was that they belonged to members of Queen Boudica’s rebel army who perished while fighting against Roman occupation.
Given the placement and age of these particular specimens, archeologists think they most likely came straight from a relatively nearby Roman burial site.
Experts believe that the remains were washed away from their final resting places, and traveled down the now-defunct Walbrook River into London.
The Thames tributary which once separated the east and west sides of London was paved over in the 15th century.
What resulted was an enclosed area with ideal conditions for artifact preservation.
Researchers have expressed their excitement about the opportunity to gain insights into Roman life at the time as well as in their burial practices and attitudes toward the dead.
In the process of creating a new train route through London, workers and archaeologists have dug up all sorts of fascinating things.
Among the latest finds are 20 Roman skulls. Initial guesses are that they date back to the 3rd or 4th century AD.
Roman skulls have been a regular find in London over the years. A popular theory was that they belonged to members of Queen Boudica’s rebel army who perished while fighting against Roman occupation.
Given the placement and age of these particular specimens, archeologists think they most likely came straight from a relatively nearby Roman burial site.
Experts believe that the remains were washed away from their final resting places, and traveled down the now-defunct Walbrook River into London.
The Thames tributary which once separated the east and west sides of London was paved over in the 15th century.
What resulted was an enclosed area with ideal conditions for artifact preservation.
Researchers have expressed their excitement about the opportunity to gain insights into Roman life at the time as well as in their burial practices and attitudes toward the dead.