The Body in the Ditch: Alternative Funerary Practices on the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire?

Disarticulated human remains of a male individual, recovered from a first-century fort ditch at Vindolanda on the Roman Empire's northwestern frontier, challenge traditional views of funerary practices. Ancient DNA analysis confirmed the skeletal remains' identity, while forensic taphonomic analysis suggested primary deposition in a waterlogged environment without formal burial. This discovery highlights the complexity and variability of Roman-era disposal practices, contradicting historical sources that imply more standardized rituals. The study underscores the need to reconsider how ancient societies managed their dead, particularly on empire frontiers.

Buck, T., Greene, E. M., Meyer, A., Barlow, V., & Graham, E. (2019). The Body in the Ditch: Alternative Funerary Practices on the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire? Britannia, 50, 203–224. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0068113x1900014x