Archaeologists unearthed a mᴀss grave of at least 129 people in Vienna, which may have been the result of a catastrophic battle in the late first century CE. The discovery, made during the renovation of a soccer field in the Simmering district last autumn, is one of the most significant finds from Roman warfare in Central Europe.

Excavation work on a Roman mᴀss grave in Vienna. Credit: A. Slonek / Novetus

Construction workers in Ostbahn-XI-Platz discovered human skeletons unexpectedly, and the archaeological intervention began immediately. Michaela Binder, who led the archaeological dig, said: “Within the context of Roman acts of war, there are no comparable finds of fighters. There are huge battlefields in Germany where weapons were found. But finding the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is unique in the entire Roman history.”

The site, measuring approximately 5 by 4.5 meters and with a depth of up to 0.5 meters, contained haphazardly piled bodies on top of each other, reflecting a hasty burial as opposed to an organized interment. Most skeletons were abnormally placed with limbs entangled, lending credence to the theory of their hasty disposal following a large conflict.

Excavation work on a Roman mᴀss grave in Vienna. Credit: Reiner Riedler, Wien Museum

Anthropological research has confirmed that all the subjects were male, most of whom were between 20 and 30 years of age and generally in good health. Their height was above average at more than 1.7 meters, and they had no evidence of prior illness or malnourishment. However, all skeletons that were analyzed had signs of perimortem trauma, particularly to the skull, body, and pelvis. The sword wounds, lance wounds, and blunt force head trauma ruled out execution as the cause of death. Kristina Adler-Wölfl, the head of the Vienna city archaeological department, said: “They have various different battle wounds, which rules out execution. It is truly a battlefield.”

Excavation Simmering, sharp trauma on the skull. Credit: S. Strang/ Novetus

The burial was dated by Carbon-14 analysis from CE 80 to CE 130. This estimate was refined by the presence of Roman military artifacts, including a dagger with typical decorative silver inlays, scale armor fragments, a helmet cheek guard, and hobnails from Roman military footwear (caligae). The presence of a spearhead in a hip bone further supported the violent nature of the event.

The most probable historical context in which the mᴀss grave was created is its link to Emperor Domitian’s campaigns along the Danube (CE 86–96). The Roman legions battled Germanic tribes along the northern frontier of the empire, where they incurred mᴀssive casualties. Historical accounts show that entire Roman legions might have been decimated during the battles. The Simmering find is perhaps the first concrete physical evidence of these conflicts.

Excavation Simmering, armour scales. Credit: L. Hilzensauer, Wien Museum

The chaotic burial, lack of cremation, and presence of only male soldiers reflect the scene that would be seen after a battlefield loss. Unlike the strict rituals that characterized typical Roman military burials, these soldiers were left unceremoniously in a mᴀss grave, indicating a shortage of time and resources following the disastrous battle.

The discovery of a spearhead at the site supported the violent nature of the event. Credit: L. Hilzensauer, Wien Museum

In addition to its importance as a military discovery, the dig also informs us about Vienna’s early past. The Roman settlement of Vindobona, located just seven kilometers from this site, would later become a major military outpost and urban center. Some scholars posit that this mᴀss grave occurrence might have played a part in the expansion of Vindobona as a key Roman stronghold, eventually setting the stage for modern Vienna.

Excavation is still in its initial stages, and further research using DNA and isotope analysis will be carried out to determine the origins and affiliations of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ warriors.

More information: Wien Museum