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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
Archaeologists will move thousands of bodies from the site of a medieval church that lies along the route of the HS2 railway.
The remains of St Mary s Church in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, built in the 11th century, are being carefully excavated to allow work on the high speed line to continue.
HS2 says all artefacts and human remains that are removed will be treated with dignity, care and respect, and that the work will shine a light on almost 900 years of history at the site.
All discovered remains will be reburied in a local spot to be determined by HS2, with a specially created monument to mark the location.