Photo: Santiago D. Domínguez-Solera
Archaeologists have discovered a severed human head inside the walls of a 2,000-year-old fort in Spain. Researchers examined the find and determined that it belonged to a local soldier who had been brutally killed and decapitated by the Romans, who then placed his head on the fortification as a warning to others, Live Science reports.
In the 1st century BCE, Rome repeatedly waged war against the Cantabri—Celtic warriors living in what is now northern Spain—in their struggle for control of the Iberian Peninsula. The Cantabrian Wars were led, among others, by the first Roman emperor, Octavian (later known as Augustus). During these campaigns, the Romans besieged and captured La Loma (“The Hill”), a fortified Celtic settlement in present-day Palencia province, in 25 BCE.
During excavations at La Loma, archaeologists found a lone skull embedded within the fort’s walls. According to the researchers, it belonged to a Celtic defender of the stronghold who died in battle and was later displayed as a symbol of Roman victory.
Just outside the fort walls, archaeologists uncovered hundreds of projectiles, indicating that Roman forces heavily bombarded the settlement with arrows. Scattered fragments of armor and weaponry were also found, likely damaged during hand-to-hand combat between Celts and Romans. After their victory, Roman troops demolished the walls and destroyed the fort.
The skull itself was crushed and thrown into a corner. Scientists say it was found within a layer of debris left after the defensive structures collapsed.
DNA analysis showed that the skull belonged to a local man around 45 years old. No additional skeletal remains were found. Based on the bone separation, light coloration, fragmentary condition, and the absence of surrounding remains, researchers believe the head was discarded rather than buried.
“The skull was cracked when the walls were torn down. This means the head had been left exposed for several months,” said lead author Santiago Domínguez-Solera, director of the Center for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage of Heroica.
The researchers suggest that the man died defending the fort and that the Romans deliberately mounted his head on the wall after capturing the settlement.
