Quote :

"London, England (CNN) -- Heads hacked off, a bite from a lion, tiger or bear, massive muscles on massive men -- all clues that an ancient cemetery uncovered in northern England is the final resting place of gladiators, scientists have announced after seven years of investigations. The archeological dig has found "what may be the world's only well-preserved Roman gladiator cemetery," the York Archaeological Trust said. Scientists have found 80 skeletons in the "unique" cemetery under the city of York, northern England, since 2003. They announced their discoveries on Sunday, ahead of a documentary about the site due to air in Britain on June 14. This was one of two big archaeological developments, with Israeli scientists announcing the discovery of a huge cache of ancient religious objects. They first thought the graveyard might contain the remains of criminals or political purges. But that doesn't explain the teeth mark. "One of the most significant items of evidence is a large carnivore bite mark - probably inflicted by a lion, tiger or bear -- an injury which must have been sustained in an arena context, " said Kurt Hunter-Mann, the lead archeologist on the dig."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/06/07/england.roman.cemetery/index.html?hpt=C1

6/8/2010 7:17:33 AM

So what, they found one bite in an entire cemetery of 80 graves and conclude it was a Roman Gladiator graveyard?

Quote :

"Other clues include healed and unhealed weapon injuries, possible hammer blows to the head, and burial with "grave goods" such joints of meat or pottery -- a sign of respect."

Quote :

"One arm was bigger than the other in many remains, the scientists found -- a suggestion that the men were gladiators who trained from a young age with a weapon in one hand."

I'm pretty sure "training with a weapon in one hand from a young age" describes most, if not all, guys

Quote :

"The most impressive grave was that of a tall man aged between 18 and 23, buried, probably in a coffin, in a large oval grave about 1,700 years ago. He had been decapitated by several sword blows to the neck, the scientists said. Buried with him were what appear to have been the remains of substantial joints of meat from at least four horses -- that left behind 424 horse bones -- possibly consumed at the funeral, plus some cow and pig remains."

[Edited on June 8, 2010 at 7:41 AM. Reason : lkj]

6/8/2010 7:35:32 AM

Quote :

"probably inflicted by a lion, tiger or bear "

OH MY!

6/8/2010 7:58:11 AM

Quote :

"I'm pretty sure "training with a weapon in one hand from a young age" describes most, if not all, guys"

LOL 10/10

6/8/2010 8:31:20 AM

I saw something similiar about a bunch of bones they found in a cave in Dublin. They said they were victims of a Viking massacre about 1500 years ago.

6/8/2010 9:46:39 AM

How do we know this isn't a graveyard from a traveling circus ex-mercenaries?

6/8/2010 9:54:50 AM

Goodnight, sweet Prince...

6/8/2010 10:23:49 AM

^ That may just be the best use of the GSP meme I've seen yet. Just far enough down the page that I didn't see it coming at all.

6/8/2010 10:34:17 AM

i didnt know Ice-T was an American Gladiator

6/8/2010 10:55:17 AM