Discovered in 1990 in central London, the human remains were thoroughly investigated. As it turned out, the numerous severed heads left in the mass grave come from the period between 120 and 160 CE.
Scientists believe that they belonged to defeated gladiators or victims of Roman legionaries who practised beheading (they were considered a battle trophy). This was especially done by auxilia troops, as evidenced by the tombs in northern England and Trajan’s Column.
The decapitated people are probably young men between the ages of 25 and 35. As one researcher stated, at least one skull has traces of being bitten by a dog, so it is suspected that human remains were lying in the open. In addition, most skulls have traces of blows that could have resulted in death.
