One of 17 decapitated bodies found in an ancient Roman cemetery. The cemeteries held the burial of 52 people, and 17 beheaded bodies including 9 men and 8 women and all were over 25 years old at the time of death, a team of researchers reported in an article published online May 19 in the British journal Britannia. In many cases, the heads of the decapitated people were buried next to their feet and the pottery was placed in the position where their heads would normally have been. Some bodies were also laid face down in their graves. Researchers believe that those who were beheaded were executed. They note that the number of criminals in Roman law increased dramatically during the third and fourth centuries, around the time these skeletons were buried. Remains of archaeological evidence shows that the Roman army used Knobb’s farm as a supply center and they would take strict action if there was any violation. “During the third and fourth centuries, the penalties imposed under Roman law became more and more severe. The number of criminals applying the death penalty increased from 14 at the beginning of the third century to about 60 by Constantine’s death in 337 AD,” The researchers have noted that security concerns are one of the reasons for the increase in the death penalty. During the third and fourth centuries, there were many civil wars in the Roman Empire, many of which were fought to be crowned emperor. Despite the possibility of execution, individuals were still buried with ceramic pots and in some cases placed in coffins. Isabel Lisboa, the archaeologist who led the excavation, said: ‘A beheaded woman had the richest collection of tombstones, buried with two urns and a coal bead necklace. Pipe coal is a type of coal that is easy to glow. Under Roman law, family and friends could demand that the body of an executed criminal be returned for burial. Those executed were likely not slaves, as slaves had no status and likely would not have been buried. Scholars argue Even so, Simon Cleary, emeritus professor of Roman Archeology at the University of Birmingham in the UK, said: “What we know of the sites of Roman judicial executions suggests that they are mainly in cities and towns and have a deterrent effect. Knobb’s ranch is not near any major towns or cities.” Cleary adds that a law made by the emperor in Rome is difficult to enforce in a remote place. It is possible that these people were executed but Roman law may have nothing to do with why they were killed. By the fourth century, the Roman army had for centuries become a draconian rule, with no way back for the common man, says Cleary. Why most of the burials of decapitated people in the Roman Empire occurred in Britain is unclear. Roman Britain can be really weird at times, especially in its treatment of the dead, there are plenty of ritual practices other than beheading or burial that to our eyes look eerie. . To people’s eyes at the time, they could be completely conceivable.” Other scholars have also expressed doubt that Roman law had much to do with the burial of the decapitated. Caroline Humfress, director of the Institute for Constitutional and Legal Studies at St. Andrews in Scotland, said: “I personally think it is very unlikely that the executions on Knobb’s farm were related to Roman legal processes.” “If they have a judicial context, it’s more likely to be localized and involve executions carried out without trial,” Humfress said. However, other scholars argue that these people could have been executed according to Roman law. “The official execution seems to be the best explanation for the Knobb Ranch cases,” said Judith Evans Grubbs, a professor of Roman history at Emory University in Atlanta. He noted that women in the Roman Empire were often the target of accusations of witchcraft and adultery, both of which could have been considered crimes by the Romans. Stunned with the largest, deepest $ 211 million swimming pool in the world 08/06/2021

Accordingly, scientists studied and analyzed two of 15 ancient tombs discovered in the 1920s at the Valsgärde farm, on the outskirts of the city of Uppsala, central Sweden. Specifically, two ancient tombs are the resting place of two warriors from the 7th century. They were buried in boats with helmets, shields and elaborately decorated weapons, even with puzzle pieces. play. The boats carrying the remains of the two warriors were about 9m long each, with 4-5 pairs of oars. Warrior helmet… and elaborately decorated weapons found in ancient tombs. The remains of the two warriors were laid on a soft mattress, stuffed with the feathers of various birds. Researchers believe that the ancients prepared these items in the hope that the journey to the afterlife of the deceased would be easier. Microscopic analysis showed that the feathers in the mattress were taken from geese, ducks, partridges, crows, sparrows, wading birds (swamp birds) and even eagle owls. More strangely, in a grave, there is an Eurasian card owl with its head cut off. Horse bones and other animals (cattle, pigs, sheep, snowy owls, partridges, ducks, geese, and northern pike) were also found near the boats when they were buried about 1,400 years ago. There are also animal-related artifacts, including 20 horseshoes, one saddle, four bridles, and 4-5 dog leashes. “The warriors seem to be equipped to sail to the afterlife, and can also go ashore with the help of horses. We guessed that the choice of down blankets could have a deeper, more symbolic meaning,” said Professor Birgitta Berglund of the NTNU University Museum in Trondheim, Norway. Feathers are used to make blankets for the dead. Various animals and related artifacts were buried with the boat. According to Norse folklore, the stuffed feathers in bedding for the dying are very important. Professor Berglund explained, the ancients believed that using feathers of domestic chickens, owls, birds of prey, pigeons, crows and squirrels would help prolong the time of “fighting” with death. “In some parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula, goose feathers are considered the best item to help the soul escape from the body,” he points out. The soft feathers in the Valsgärde tombs, the oldest known to have been found in Scandinavia, suggest that the two warriors belonged to the highest class of Iron Age society there. Wealthy Greeks and Romans had been bedridden for hundreds of years before that, but the rich in Europe probably didn’t use it widely until the Middle Ages, Mr. Berglund said. Mr Berglund believes that the decapitated owl was related to the burial ritual. The keeping of birds of prey like eagle owls has long been a status symbol, according to the researchers. “It’s possible that the owls’ heads were cut off to prevent it from coming back,” said the professor, referring to the swords bent in front of the Viking-era mausoleum to prevent the dead from using weapons should they return from the realm of the dead. died. Dead warriors are well-equipped for the journey to the afterlife. Valsgärde began to be excavated in 1928 by archaeologists from the Uppsala University Museum today. More than 90 tombs from the Iron Age were discovered here, including 15 warriors buried by boat burial from the late Iron Age (570–1030 AD). The two tombs that have been the focus of new research are named Valsgärde 7 and 8, both dating to the 7th century. According to Professor Berglund, Valsgärde 7 was excavated in 1933, while Valsgärde 8 was excavated. in 1936. In addition to revealing Iron Age burial rituals, the new study also determines whether feathers used as blankets for warriors were imported or sourced from local birds. If it was imported feathers, this would open the door to a certain historical trade route. Study co-author, biologist Jørgen Rosvold, from the Norwegian Institute of Natural History (NINA), said that making the feather material is time-consuming and challenging for several reasons. “I am still amazed at how well the feathers are preserved despite the fact that they have been lying in the ground for more than 1,000 years,” he said. Research results show that feathers are obtained from different types of birds locally, not through import. “The feathers provide new perspectives on past relationships between humans and birds. Archaeological excavations rarely find traces of birds other than those used for food,” concluded Berglund.