DAILY STAR
The skeleton of an ‘elite Roman solider’ who was ‘restrained at death’ has been found face down in a field in Wales.
The remains of the man had with them a sword and silver brooch which both suggest he was a high ranking member of the Roman military.
But large nails near his neck, back and feet have also offered evidence that the man – thought to be between 20 and 25-years-old at the time of death – had been restrained.
The skeleton was found in an isolated field near a Roman villa in Wales by UK-based Red River Archaeology during a road improvement project near the town of Barry.
In an email to Live Science, Mark Collard, managing director of Red River Archaeology, noted that “the prone [facedown] position and very large nails at the back of the neck, shoulder and between the feet may indicate restraints.”
This burial and four others, which date to the mid-third to the late-fourth centuries, may be associated with the Whitton Lodge Roman villa, which was originally excavated half a century ago.)
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 added.
