In an isolated field near a Roman villa in Wales, archaeologists have discovered the skeleton of a man buried facedown. Adorned with a silver pin and a sword, he may have been a Roman soldier — but large nails near his neck, back and feet offer tantalizing evidence that he was restrained at death.
The man, estimated to be between 21 and 25 years old at death, was placed in a rock-cut grave that may have been edged with wooden planks, based on the discovery of nails at the top and bottom of the pit, according to Mark Collard, managing director of Red River Archaeology. In an email to Live Science, Collard noted that"the prone [facedown] position and very large nails at the back of the neck, shoulder and between the feet may indicate restraints.
Evan Chapman, senior curator of archaeology at Amgueddfa Cymru — Museum Wales, said in a statement that"this is the first example of a Roman silver crossbow brooch to be found in Wales." These brooches, likely used to fasten a cloak, were often associated with the Roman military."The presence of the sword would support the military connection in this instance," Chapman said.Direct analysis of the man's bones and teeth revealed more details about his life.
It is not unusual to find Roman burials outside of formal cemeteries. But the man's prone position — as well as the discovery of a nearby grave with a decapitated individual whose skull was placed at their feet — is notable, Collard said, as other Roman Britain burials also suggest a"clear association between the occurrence of prone and decapitated burials."
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