According to archaeologists, the group of decapitated bodies found at the burial site probably belonged to victims of Roman military executions.
An “exceptionally large” number of 3rd century decapitated bodies have been found at a war farm settlement in Somersham, Cambridgeshire.
Some were on their knees when they were struck from behind with a sword.
Archaeologist Isabelle Lisboa said 33% of those found were executed, compared to 6% in most Roman British cemeteries.
Three cemeteries were excavated, 52 burials were revealed, 17 of which were beheaded.
At least one of those executed – an elderly woman found face down – appears to have been tortured just before her death or maimed afterwards.
Their heads were found at the feet or legs.
Dr. Lisboa of Archaeologica said they emerged during a time of growing instability in the Roman Empire, when legal penalties became harsher.
“The number of crimes punishable by death doubled in the 3rd century and quadrupled in the 4th century,” she said.
“Since he was part of the Roman army, directly or indirectly, the severity of punishment and the observance of Roman law would have been harsher in the settlements of Somersh,” she said.
The settlement is believed to have supplied the Roman army with part of a wider network of nearby military farms at Camp Ground and Langdale Hale.
The “lack of genetic linkage” between the bodies suggests that they either served in the army or were slaves.
At least two of those found were born in Scotland or Ireland, and one in the Alps.
Dr. Lisboa said that “Nobb’s farm has an exceptionally high proportion of headless bodies – 33% of those found – compared to local graves and throughout Roman Britain.” Elsewhere, decapitated bodies account for 2.5% to 6% of burials.
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