VIENNA (AP) — While excavation work was underway last October to refurbish a soccer field in Vienna, workers stumbled upon something extraordinary: a mass grave containing intermingled skeletons from the 1st century Roman Empire. The remains are believed to be those of combatants who were part of battles involving Germanic tribes.
On Wednesday, following an archaeological assessment, specialists from the Vienna Museum conducted their initial public display of the burial site, which they associated with "a significant military occurrence" and presented as proof of the earliest documented combat in that area.
One hundred twenty-nine individuals' remains have been verified at the location within the Vienna area of Simmering. Excavation crews additionally discovered numerous displaced bones and suspect that the overall victim count exceeds 150—a finding unprecedented in Central Europe.
Regarding Roman military conflicts, there are no similar discoveries involving combatants," explained Michaela Binder, who headed the excavation project. "Large battlegrounds have been uncovered in Germany with numerous weapons. However, discovering remains of deceased soldiers is unparalleled throughout all documented periods of Roman history.
Roman soldiers usually underwent cremation until the 200s AD.
The burial site where the remains were placed indicates a hurried or chaotic disposal of bodies. Each skeletal specimen inspected exhibited evidence of trauma—especially to the skull, trunk, and pelvic regions.
They exhibit numerous distinct battle injuries, making an execution unlikely. This place clearly resembles a battleground," stated Kristina Adler-Wölfl, who leads the Vienna city archaeology division. "These individuals sustained cuts from swords, lances, as well as damage from bludgeoning weapons.
All the victims were males. The majority fell within the age range of 20 to 30 years, and they typically exhibited strong dental hygiene.
The Carbon-14 analysis indicated that the bones were from around 80 to 130 AD. This dating was corroborated with historical records of artifacts discovered in the tomb, such as armor, cheekpieces from a helmet, and the specific nails utilized in Roman military sandals called caligae.
The strongest hint was provided by a corroded dagger of a kind that was used exclusively from the midpoint of the first century through the beginning of the second century.
Ongoing research has revealed that only one victim has been identified as a Roman soldier. Scientists are hopeful that DNA and strontium isotope analyses may provide more information about these combatants and their allegiances.
"The current leading theory suggests that this is linked to Emperor Domitian's Danube campaigns, which took place between 86 and 96 A.D.," Adler-Wölfl stated.
The city archaeologists stated that this find also indicates the initial indications of the establishment of a settlement that would later grow into the present-day Austrian capital.
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The Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten from Geneva provided the contribution.