In October of last year, construction workers in Vienna unearthed a significant archaeological discovery while refurbishing a soccer field. Beneath the earth lay an extensive mass grave, believed to date back to the 1st-century Roman Empire. The tangled remains are thought to belong to soldiers who died in a conflict involving Germanic tribes. On Wednesday, the Vienna Museum displayed findings from their archaeological analysis, suggesting the site was a battleground marking the first known instance of warfare in the area.
The grave, situated in Vienna’s Simmering district, contained the remains of 129 individuals, with scattered bones leading experts to estimate the total number of bodies at over 150. This remarkable discovery marks a first for Central Europe. According to Michaela Binder, the lead on the excavation, “There are large German battlefields with found weapons, but unearthing the fallen soldiers is unprecedented for Roman military history.” Traditionally, Roman soldiers were cremated until the 3rd century.
The site suggested a hurried disposal of bodies, with every skeleton showing injuries, primarily to the head, torso, and pelvis. Kristina Adler-Wölfl, head of Vienna’s archaeological department, asserted, “These are battle wounds, not execution signs, indicating a genuine battlefield.” The injuries varied from sword and lance wounds to blunt force trauma, reflecting the intensity of the confrontation.
All individuals uncovered were young men, aged 20 to 30, usually showing signs of good dental health. Using carbon-14 dating, the skeletons were dated between 80 and 130 A.D. This was verified against artifacts found in the grave, including armor, helmet protectors, and Roman military shoe nails called caligae. A distinct clue emerged from a rusty dagger typical of the period between the mid-1st century and early 2nd century.
Further research aims to identify the fighters and their affiliations, with only one confirmed as a Roman soldier. Archaeologists anticipate that DNA and strontium isotope analysis will yield more information. Adler-Wölfl speculated, “The most likely theory is a link to Emperor Domitian’s Danube campaigns from 86 to 96 A.D.”
The uncovering of this grave also signifies early signs of what would grow into today’s Austrian capital. The ongoing research holds promise for uncovering more about Vienna’s ancient past.