A grisly discovery at Knobb’s Farm in Somersham, Cambridgeshire, has shed light on a brutal chapter of Roman history. Excavations of a late Roman cemetery unearthed a significant number of decapitated bodies, suggesting a rise in executions during this turbulent period.
Archaeologists uncovered a total of 52 graves, with a staggering 17 individuals bearing the unmistakable mark of execution – decapitation. This number far exceeds the average found in Roman Britain, where decapitated burials typically account for only 2.5% to 6% of the total. Furthermore, 13 prone burials were identified, another anomaly exceeding the standard burial practices of the era.
“The number of capital crimes doubled in the 3rd Century and quadrupled in the 4th Century,” explains Dr. Isabel Lisboa of Archaeologica, attributing the rise in executions to the increasing instability of the Roman Empire. “As it was part of the Roman army, directly or indirectly, the severity of punishments and the enforcement of Roman law would have been more severe at the Somersham settlements,” she adds.
Located on the outskirts of an agricultural village, Knobb’s Farm is believed to have been a supplier to the Roman army, functioning within a network of nearby military installations. Interestingly, analysis of the remains revealed a “lack of genetic relationships” between the deceased, suggesting they may have been either soldiers or enslaved individuals. The isotopic examination even identified individuals with origins as far afield as Scotland, Ireland, and the Alps, highlighting the diverse makeup of the Roman military apparatus.
The gruesome details of some of the burials point towards a particularly harsh reality. Cut marks on two bodies confirm decapitation as the cause of death, while another two individuals exhibited signs of extreme violence. Perhaps most disturbing is the discovery of an older woman, buried face-down, who appears to have been tortured either before or after her execution. The positioning of the heads – often placed at the feet or lower legs – adds another layer of brutality to the scene.
The findings at Knobb’s Farm offer a chilling glimpse into the Roman legal system during a period of escalating instability. The sheer number of executions, coupled with the brutality inflicted upon some victims, paints a disturbing picture of Roman justice in this corner of Britain. While the excavations were conducted between 2001 and 2010, the analysis of the recovered remains has only recently been published, highlighting the enduring impact of these discoveries. As we delve deeper into the past, such finds serve as stark reminders of the darker aspects of human history.