“All of the men were robust, taller than average, and appear to have died around the same time,” the study noted. The varying burial depths and positions suggest the bodies were hastily discarded, likely in the chaos following a battle.
Experts believe these individuals may have been Roman soldiers who fought in the 260 C.E. Battle of Mursa, or were killed in a skirmish that followed.
Insights from Isotopes and DNA
The research team conducted carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses to learn about the men’s diets. They ate primarily grains such as wheat and millet, with vegetables and little meat—typical of Roman military rations.
DNA testing revealed a surprising diversity among the soldiers. “None appeared to be local to the area,” the report found. One individual likely came from Northern or Eastern Europe, while another may have originated in the Byzantine Empire. This aligns with records of the Roman army’s wide recruitment practices during the empire’s crisis years.
The Fall of Mursa
As reported by BBC News, Mursa endured numerous battles during the Crisis of the Third Century, a time when civil wars, invasions, and economic turmoil nearly destroyed the Roman Empire. After continued conflict, the city “ceased to exist as an urban settlement” following attacks in 441 C.E.
