https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57189875 BBC Homepage * Skip to content * Accessibility Help * Your account * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * MenuMore Search * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * Music * TV * Weather * Sounds Close menu BBC News Menu * Home * Coronavirus * Video * World * US & Canada * UK * Business * Tech * Science * Stories * Entertainment & Arts More * Health * In Pictures * Reality Check * World News TV * Newsbeat * Long Reads * England * Regions * Cambridgeshire Somersham headless bodies were victims of Roman executions Published 6 days ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Skeleton with skull at head, Knobb's Farm, Somershamimage copyright Dave Webb, Cambridge Archaeological Unit A cluster of decapitated bodies discovered at a burial site were probably from victims of Roman military executions, archaeologists have said. The "exceptionally high" number of 3rd Century decapitated bodies were found at a military supply farm settlement at Somersham, Cambridgeshire. Several were kneeling when they were struck from behind with a sword. Archaeologist Isabel Lisboa said 33% of those found had been executed, compared to 6% in most Roman British cemeteries. Skull at skeleton fee, Knobb's Farm, Somershamimage copyrightDave Webb, Cambridge Archaeological Unit image captionThe heads were found buried with the bodies - eight were women and nine were men Three cemeteries were excavated revealing 52 burials, of which 17 were decapitated. At least one of those executed - an older woman found face-down - appears to have been tortured immediately before death or mutilated afterwards. Their heads were found placed at their feet or lower legs. Knobb's Farm excavation, Somershamimage copyrightDave Webb, Cambridge Archaeological Unit image captionThe finds were made during a series of excavations between 2001 and 2010 Dr Lisboa, from Archaeologica, said they dated from a time of increasing instability for the Roman Empire, when legal punishments became harsher. "The number of capital crimes doubled in the 3rd Century and quadrupled in the 4th Century," she said. "As it was part of the Roman army, directly or indirectly, the severity of punishments and the enforcement of Roman law would have been more severe at the Somersham settlements," she said. The settlement is believed to have supplied the Roman army, part of a wider network of nearby military farms at Camp Ground and Langdale Hale. Archaeologists at Knobb's Farm, Somershamimage copyrightDave Webb, Cambridge Archaeological Unit image captionThe executed people were all adults, aged between 25 and 45 A "lack of genetic relationships" between the bodies suggests they were either in army service or slaves. At least two of those found were born in Scotland or Ireland, and another in the Alps. * 'Rare' Roman penis carving found in road upgrade * Dig reveals 'one of the largest' Roman temples * 'Only complete' Roman egg found during dig Dr Lisboa said "Knobb's Farm has an exceptionally high proportion of decapitated bodies - 33% of those found - compared with burial grounds locally and across Roman Britain." Elsewhere, decapitated bodies make between 2.5% to 6% of burials. Cambridge University's archaeology unit excavated Knobb's Farm between 2001 and 2010, ahead of gravel extraction by Tarmac Trading. Analysis of finds has just been published. Sketches of skeletons or sand shadows, Knobb's Farm, Somershamimage copyrightCambridge Archaeological Unit image captionMost of those found were buried in separate graves with many in poor condition and some reduced to sand shadows presentational grey line Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk Related Topics * History * Archaeology * Somersham * University of Cambridge More on this story * Silver seal discovery unlocks Roman mystery Published 15 May * 'Rare' Roman penis carving found in road upgrade Published 18 February * Dig reveals 'one of the largest' Roman temples Published 13 September 2020 * 'Hugely important' Iron Age settlement found Published 23 July 2019 * 'Rare' Roman coin found during roadworks Published 18 May 2019 From other local news sites * The best places to get ice cream in Peterborough according to Tripadvisor reviews External Cambridgeshire Live * Covid cases have increased by over 100% in Cambridgeshire, according to latest Government data External Cambridgeshire Live * Pidley is a flat village with a huge mountain charity Debbie Davies External Hunts Post * Tiny village of Pidley made huge contribution during pandemic Alexandra Collett External Hunts Post * 'No shows' threaten livelihood of popular pub Facebook John Elworthy A pub/restaurant has asked customers to please ring if they have to cancel at the last minute. External Ely Standard * Seven cockerels dumped outside in cardboard box John Elworthy Faced with noises coming from a cardboard box dumped in your driveway, what would you do? External Cambridge Times Information about BBC links to other news sites Top Stories * Rich nations back deal to tax multinationals G7 finance ministers have agreed to work together to create a "level playing field" on global taxation. Published 3 hours ago * More than 130 killed in Burkina Faso attack Published 1 hour ago * Nigeria to prosecute anyone breaching Twitter ban Published 1 hour ago Features * Is the NFL using race to deny brain injury claims? Najeh Davenport leaves the football field injured * The Covid scientist targeted by a far-right sniper Marc Van Ranst * Kayakers save pair of drowning eagles. VideoKayakers save pair of drowning eagles White-tailed eagle on a kayak * * 'Swab dogs' spread joy in Melbourne lockdown. Video'Swab dogs' spread joy in Melbourne lockdown Three dogs hanging out car windows * Striking news pictures from around the world Seagulls hunt pearl mullet * Why are world leaders coming to the English seaside? Boris Johnson hosting virtual G7 meeting * Why Oklahoma is a cannabis 'wild wild west' VideoWhy Oklahoma is a cannabis 'wild wild west' The conservative state's hands-off approach has made it the hottest weed market in the US. * Attacks and killings overshadow Mexico mid-terms A woman walks past electoral propaganda in Ecatepec, State of Mexico, on 3 June 2021. * Forced to say goodbye through crematorium gates. VideoForced to say goodbye through crematorium gates Grieving relatives Elsewhere on the BBC * Football phrases 15 sayings from around the world football being kicked on a field - Vauxhall image blurred in the background. Most Read * Rich nations back deal to tax multinationals1 * Putin sees 'double standards' over US Capitol riot2 * More than 130 killed in Burkina Faso attack3 * Visitors face fines for stealing Sardinia beach sand4 * Trudeau pressures Church over indigenous schools5 * The Covid scientist targeted by a far-right sniper6 * Nigeria to prosecute anyone breaching Twitter ban7 * Judge overturns California assault weapons ban8 * Hong Kong sets $1.3m parking space price record9 * United plans supersonic passenger flights by 202910 BBC News Services * On your mobile * On smart speakers * Get news alerts * Contact BBC News * Home * News * Sport * Reel * Worklife * Travel * Future * Culture * Music * TV * Weather * Sounds * Terms of Use * About the BBC * Privacy Policy * Cookies * Accessibility Help * Parental Guidance * Contact the BBC * Get Personalised Newsletters * Why you can trust the BBC * Advertise with us * AdChoices / Do Not Sell My Info (c) 2021 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.