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4d ago

First Physical Evidence of Gladiators Battling Lions Unearthed in Roman Britain

A skeleton from York's Driffield Terrace reveals lion bite marks, providing the first osteological proof of human-animal combat in Roman-era provinces.

The lesions left behind by the carnivore show no signs of healing, suggesting they led to the man's death.
Bite marks can be seen on the man's pelvis.
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Overview

  • Bite marks on a pelvis from a Roman-era skeleton in York have been identified as those of a lion, marking the first physical evidence of gladiators fighting animals in ancient Britain.
  • The findings, published in PLOS ONE on April 23, 2025, confirm that the injuries occurred at or near the time of death, likely when the lion dragged the incapacitated individual.
  • Excavations at Driffield Terrace uncovered over 80 male skeletons, many decapitated and showing signs of violent trauma, suggesting the site was a gladiator cemetery.
  • The discovery highlights Rome's logistical reach in transporting exotic animals like lions from North Africa or the Near East to distant provinces for public spectacles.
  • Researchers plan to investigate York's missing amphitheater and burial practices to better understand the context of beast-hunt spectacles in Roman Britain.