Roman Mass Grave in Vienna Reveals Evidence of First-Century Battle

Archaeologists uncover remains of over 150 Roman soldiers, offering the first physical proof of Germanic conflicts during Emperor Domitian's reign.

The mass grave, discovered during sports field renovations in Simmering, Vienna, contains remains of over 150 Roman soldiers killed in combat nearly 2,000 years ago.
The soldiers, aged 20-30, show evidence of fatal injuries from weapons like spears, swords, and daggers, with no signs of organized burial practices.
The site is linked to Roman-Germanic battles along the Danube Limes during Emperor Domitian's reign, marking the first material evidence of these conflicts.
The discovery challenges Roman burial norms, as cremation was standard during this period, making the inhumation of these soldiers highly unusual.
Archaeologists plan an international research project, including DNA and isotopic analyses, to uncover the soldiers' origins and their living conditions.