"First evidence of crucifixion found in Britain" Topic

"Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a man with a nail driven through his heel that is the first evidence of Roman crucifixion found in Britain. It is the first physical evidence of Roman crucifixion found in northern Europe, for that matter, and only the second example with the nail that was driven through it still piercing the bone.

The skeleton of the crucified man was one of many burials unearthed at Fenstanton in the Cambridgeshire fens in excavations between 2016 and 2018. Fenstanton was on the Via Devana, the Roman road linking Cambridge to Godmanchester, and a few remains of a Roman villa and settlement have been found in the northern perimeter of the town. The southern edge of town was excavated for the first time in 2016 before construction of a housing development. Those exploratory trenches revealed evidence (coins, pottery, animal bones) of a Roman settlement from the late 1st or early 2nd century that was more populous and larger than previously realized. County officials worked with the developers to revised the plans to allow for additional excavation and keeping the best-preserved archaeological remains in situ…"

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Armand

Even admirers of Rome (as I) shudder at the cruelty of crucifixion. Interesting discovery. In the absence of any more ancient texts, archaeology is the only endeavor that can shine additional life on the ancient world.

I can't even imagine the pain of having a nail driven through your bone. My God.

Interesting article – I never realised that the nail was driven through horizontally, holding the heel against the side of the upright – always pictured it going through the front as in most artistic depictions.

Nails were driven through heels as well as from the front. It depended on the wood /tree used & the whim of the crucifier. Same goes for the shape of the cross could be as usually depicted, a "Tau" cross or a X style. I guess you could get bored doing the same thing if you were the executioner. Remember only non-citizens could suffer crucifixion so cruelty was the rule of the day.
Paul

Glad you enjoyed it…

Armand

great post. And I think an interesting part is when the article states that those crucified were not usually buried. The raises lots of questions.

Happy you enjoyed it my good friend…

Armand