LONDON — Dozens of headless skeletons excavated from York, in northern England, appear to be the remains of Roman gladiators, one of whom had bites from a lion, tiger, bear or other large animal, archaeologists said Monday.
Experts said new forensic evidence suggests the bones belong to the professional fighters, who were often killed while entertaining spectators. Most of the skeletons were male and appeared stronger and taller than the average Roman, with signs of arm-muscle stress that suggest weapons training that began in the men’s teens. The team investigating the remains said one of the best clues was carnivore tooth marks found on the hip and shoulder of one of the skeletons.
“The presence of bite marks is one of the strongest pieces of evidence suggesting an arena connection. It would seem highly unlikely that this individual was attacked by a tiger as he was walking home,” said Michael Wysocki, a lecturer in forensic anthropology and archaeology who studied the skeletons.
The bites were believed to have caused the person’s death, he said.
York — about 200 miles north of London — was one of the largest cities in Roman Britain, and experts believe bands of gladiators touring the Roman Empire occasionally traveled there to put on fighting shows.
