Roman legionnaires cut off the heads of the Celts and brought them to London. This is the conclusion reached by British archaeologists studying the mystery of 39 skulls found in a pit in central London. According to scientists, the remains discovered 20 years ago during archaeological excavations could belong to the captive Celts.
Their skulls were not deliberately buried, but placed in a hole in a prominent place next to the wall of antique Londinium. Most likely, the act of intimidation was carried out in 120-160 AD, it was at this time that the cultural layer where this find was made.
Column of Troyan. Roman auxiliary holds the severed head of the enemy in its teeth
Several theories about the origin of these skulls have already been put forward. It was believed that these were the heads of dead gladiators or the remains that were accidentally brought to this place by the waters of the Walbrook River. Recent studies have established for sure that all these skulls belong to decapitated people. In some cases this was done with extreme cruelty. So, the study of one of the skulls showed that during the decapitation, the lower jaw was cut off in a person.
Column of Troyan. Roman legionnaires show the severed heads of enemies
The examination also found that all the skulls belonged to men between the ages of 26 and 35. Comparing all the facts, archaeologists came to the conclusion that they were executed by Roman legionaries. The practice of cutting off the heads of defeated enemies was widely practiced in those days in the Roman army. Scenes of this kind with the heads off of enemies are found on the famous column of Troyan. Similar scenes, carved on the gravestones of Roman legionnaires, have been found in the British Isles themselves.
In the early second century AD, Roman legions invaded Celtic territory in present-day Scotland and won a series of victories. According to British scientists, captives could have their heads cut off and displayed in a prominent place. Scientists have yet to conduct detailed anthropological studies to determine which tribes the executed could belong to.