Vienna, Austria – A construction project to renovate a football pitch in Vienna’s district of Simmering has revealed a fascinating historical discovery. The excavation led to the unearthing of a Roman mass grave that housed the remains of over a hundred soldiers who perished in combat. Archaeologists and anthropologists from the Wien Museum, along with the archaeological excavation company Novetus, made this remarkable find.
The skeletal remains of at least 129 individuals were discovered, with estimates suggesting that more than 150 soldiers were buried at the site. The bones were found in a pit that was approximately 16 feet long, indicating a hasty burial of the deceased as they were placed in no particular order, some with limbs intertwined.
Upon examination, researchers determined that all the found individuals were males, mostly between the ages of 20 and 30. These soldiers bore injuries that appeared to have been sustained in battle, with wounds found mainly in the skull, pelvis, and torso, inflicted by weapons like spears, daggers, swords, and iron bolts.
The bones, dated to roughly 80 to 230 AD, suggested that the soldiers were likely involved in a military conflict during the Roman-Germanic wars. This discovery provides a unique look into a historic period when ancient battles were fought between the Romans and Germanic tribes.
The variety of artifacts found alongside the remains, including iron spearheads, hobnails from Roman military shoes, and pieces of scale armor, shed light on the equipment and weaponry used during that time. The archaeological team in Vienna plans to conduct further research, including DNA analysis, to learn more about the soldiers’ lives and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
This remarkable find not only uncovers a significant piece of history but also adds a new chapter to the story of Vienna’s evolution into a major urban center. The discovery of the mass grave opens the door to a deeper understanding of the Roman Empire’s presence in the region and its impact on the development of modern-day Vienna.