Scientists reveal that headless men believed to be gladiators have descendants in Wales – and one hailed from Middle EastThe origins of a group of men whose decapitated corpses were discovered in a Roman cemetery in York have been traced through genome technology. It has been revealed that one man came from as far away as contemporary Syria or Palestine,and that the descendants of others now live in Wales.
The 1800-year-conventional skeletons of more than 80 individuals, all aged under 45 when they died, or have been puzzling archaeologists since they were excavated more than a decade ago by the York Archaeological Trust. The men – many of whom were taller than average and well built – may have been gladiators,soldiers or criminals whose violent deaths were arena entertainment.
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Source: theguardian.com