Graves of 50 slaves who were forced to build elite Roman villa in UK unearthed
DOZENS of graves believed to belong to 50 enslaved labourers who toiled under the Roman rule of Britain have been unearthed. Experts think the burial site contains the bodies of slaves who worked on an elite Roman village in the English town of Somerton. The slaves likely worked at the site just under 2,000 years […]
DOZENS of graves believed to belong to 50 enslaved labourers who toiled under the Roman rule of Britain have been unearthed.
Experts think the burial site contains the bodies of slaves who worked on an elite Roman village in the English town of Somerton.
The slaves likely worked at the site just under 2,000 years ago, and were native to the area.
They were often buried with grave goods, including brooches and pottery.
One of the key findings was that many of the bodies were found with small nails at their feet.
This suggests that they were buried wearing leather hobnail boots, according to experts from Wessex Archaeology.
“This site is a significant discovery – the most comprehensive modern excavation of a Roman cemetery in Somerset,” said lead archaeologist Steve Membery, of the South West Heritage Trust.
“The application of technology including aerial drones and techniques such as isotope and ancient DNA analysis offers major opportunities for insights into the lives of the Roman population of Somerton.”
Those buried at the site are believed to have lived and worked at a nearby Roman villa.
The villa itself hasn’t been found, but associated buildings – including an outhouse and a barn – were already unearthed.
Burials at the site borrowed the Roman burial style of grave goods being placed close to the head.
That’s why Membery thinks the bodies belong to ancient Brits who adopted Roman customs.
Not all of those buried at the site were low-ranking Brits, however.
The position of one woman’s skull suggests that she was buried with her head on a pillow.
Most of the graves are lined with local stone, and capped and sealed from above too.
Archaeologists also uncovered evidence of Iron Age roundhouses at the site.
“The individuals were evidently of some status in native society,” said Mr Membery.
“The burials also show early adoption of Roman burial practices, such as offerings, alongside traditionally Iron Age characteristics.”
The Romans in Britain
Here's everything you need to know...
The Roman Empire conquered vast swathes of Europe, West Asia and North Africa.
A Roman force of 40,000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east in 43 AD.
Key tribal leaders surrendered, and within three years Britain was declared part of the Roman Empire.
Londinium (London) was founded in 47 AD and became the country’s capital. Networks of roads were built across the country.
Over time, the Britons began to adopt Roman customs, such as towns, animals, a new religion and ways of reading and counting. The Romans even gave us the word “Britain”.
The Romans largely remained in the south of Britain, famously never managing to take Scotland from the country’s violent Barbarian forces.
By 410 AD, the Empire was falling apart, and Roman rule ended in Britain when soldiers were recalled to Rome to protect other parts of it.
Excavations began after evidence of the site emerged during construction of a new school in Somerton.
A similar site was recently found at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station construction site – just 25 miles away.
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