Rare Physical Evidence of Roman Crucifixion Unearthed in Britain
Discovery of Crucified Skeleton
Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in Cambridgeshire, England: the skeleton of a man who was crucified during the Roman Empire. This find represents one of the few surviving physical traces of this ancient punishment.
The skeleton, known as Skeleton 4926, was found with a nail hammered through its heel bone, a telltale sign of crucifixion. This discovery provides tangible evidence of how crucifixion was carried out, which has primarily been known through historical accounts.
Archaeological Context
Archaeological evidence of crucifixion is rare because victims were often not given proper burials. Additionally, most crucifixions used rope rather than nails to bind the condemned to the cross.
This particular discovery is significant because it provides physical evidence of a crucifixion that was carried out with nails. It also sheds light on the burial practices of crucified victims, who were often denied proper rites.
Historical Context
Crucifixion was a common form of execution in the Roman Empire, reserved for enslaved people, Christians, foreigners, political activists, and disgraced soldiers. It was viewed as a shameful and barbaric punishment.
Victims of crucifixion typically died from suffocation, loss of bodily fluids, or organ failure. The process could take anywhere from three hours to four days.
The discovery of Skeleton 4926 provides a glimpse into the harsh reality of Roman crucifixion. The man’s body bore signs of severe suffering, including infection, inflammation, and sword blows.
Physical Examination
Researchers found that the man’s legs showed signs of infection or inflammation, possibly caused by binding or shackles. Six of his ribs were fractured, likely by blows from a sword.
The man’s body was buried alongside a wooden board and surrounded by 12 nails that were likely removed after he was taken down from the cross. A smaller indentation next to the main hole on his heel suggests a failed attempt to nail him down to the board.
Thinning of the Bones
Ingham, the project manager at Albion Archaeology, notes that the thinning of the man’s bones indicates he was likely chained to a wall for a long time prior to being crucified.
This finding suggests that the man may have been enslaved or held captive before his execution.
DNA Analysis
DNA analysis revealed that Skeleton 4926 was not genetically related to any of the other bodies found at the site but was part of the area’s native population.
This suggests that the man was not a Roman citizen but rather a local inhabitant who fell victim to the empire’s brutal punishment.
Legacy of Roman Crucifixion
The discovery of Skeleton 4926 serves as a reminder of the horrors of Roman crucifixion and the human toll it took on marginalized populations.
Duhig, an archaeologist at the University of Cambridge, notes that even the inhabitants of small settlements on the edge of the empire could not escape Rome’s most barbaric punishment.
The team’s findings are expected to be published in an academic journal next year, providing further insights into the practice of crucifixion in the ancient world.