BBC News
Published
image copyrightDave Webb, Cambridge Archaeological Unit
A cluster of decapitated bodies discovered at a burial site were probably from victims of Roman military executions, archaeologists have said.
The exceptionally high number of 3rd Century decapitated bodies were found at a military supply farm settlement at Somersham, Cambridgeshire.
Several were kneeling when they were struck from behind with a sword.
Archaeologist Isabel Lisboa said 33% of those found had been executed, compared to 6% in most Roman British cemeteries.
image copyrightDave Webb, Cambridge Archaeological Unit
image captionThe heads were found buried with the bodies - eight were women and nine were men