Evidence of gladiator fights between humans and wild animals discovered in Roman Britain

Researchers found the skeleton of a man with bite marks likely from a lion, in Driffield Terrace cemetery (UK) - evidence of a Roman-era arena between humans and wild animals.

A new archaeological discovery has provided the first physical evidence of human-beast combat in Roman Europe.

Researchers have found the skeleton of a man with bite marks from a large cat, most likely a lion, at Driffield Terrace cemetery in York, England.

The skeleton, numbered 6DT19, dated to around AD 200-300, was part of 81 tombs and 14 cremation sites discovered 20 years ago.

What is remarkable is that the majority of the skeletons belonged to young males, many of whom showed signs of trauma such as broken bones or decapitation, suggesting the possibility that they were gladiators.

"These findings are hugely significant," said Professor Tim Thompson from Maynooth University, Ireland, who led the research. "For many years, our understanding of Roman gladiatorial combat and animal performances has relied largely on historical texts and artistic depictions."

Using advanced 3D scanning technology, researchers analyzed the indentations on the skeleton's pelvis, which matched the bite marks of a large cat, most likely a lion.

The location of the bite marks on the pelvis suggests they may have occurred when the animal attacked the victim or torn the body apart after the person died.

"These bite marks are concrete evidence of performances at the Roman Colosseum in Britain, helping us to better understand this space as a place of brutal imperial power," said Dr John Pearce from King's College London.

David Jennings, CEO of York Archaeology, stressed the significance of the discovery: "While we may never know what brought this man to the arena, it is astonishing that the first archaeological evidence of this type of gladiatorial contest has been found so far away from the Colosseum in Rome."./.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phat-hien-bang-chung-ve-dau-truong-giua-nguoi-va-thu-du-tai-anh-thoi-la-ma-post1035112.vnp