In brief
A recent excavation in Vienna’s Simmering district uncovered a rare mass grave beneath a soccer field, containing the remains of at least 129 individuals dating back nearly 2,000 years. The discovery, made during renovations, is linked to a significant military event involving Roman troops and Germanic tribes, emphasizing the unique opportunity for researchers to study uncremated human remains from this era.
Archaeologists and historians from the Vienna Museum announced this exciting find, which dates from A.D. 80 to 234, a time marked by numerous Roman emperors such as Domitian and Trajan. The grave's skeletal remains, characterized by battle injuries, suggest a rapid abandonment following a military defeat. Radiocarbon dating and the discovery of Roman artifacts, including weaponry and distinctive military shoe nails, further corroborate the date and context of the burial. Michaela Binder, the lead anthropologist, expressed the rarity of such unburnt remains in Central Europe, noting the limited practices of burial during the first century A.D. “It is an absolute unique chance to study the life histories of people in the first century A.D.,” she stated, underscoring the historical importance of the find. The ongoing analysis promises to reveal insights into the complex interactions between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes during this tumultuous period.
