What was discovered in the 1,200-year-old pit near Cambridge?

A 1,200-year-old pit containing numerous skeletons, some dismembered, bearing marks of extreme violence from the 8th or 9th century AD was discovered near Cambridge, England.

What are the theories about the cause of death for the individuals found?

Theories suggest the individuals may have died in a battle or were subjected to a series of executions, given the evidence of extreme violence and unusual burial practices.

What is significant about one of the unusually tall skeletons found?

One exceptionally tall individual, measuring 6 feet 5 inches, had undergone trepanation on their skull, possibly to treat severe headaches related to a pituitary tumor causing abnormal growth.

Home / Science / Ancient Pit Reveals Violent Deaths Near Cambridge

Ancient Pit Reveals Violent Deaths Near Cambridge

4 Feb

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Summary

A 1,200-year-old pit near Cambridge contains violent, dismembered skeletons.
Evidence suggests execution or battle from the 8th or 9th century.
One exceptionally tall man may have had a pituitary tumor treated with trepanation.

Ancient Pit Reveals Violent Deaths Near Cambridge

Near Cambridge, England, archaeologists unearthed a grim discovery: a 1,200-year-old pit containing numerous skeletons, some dismembered, bearing marks of extreme violence. This site, found at Wandlebury Country Park, is hypothesized to be the remnants of a battle or a series of executions dating back to the 8th or 9th century AD.

The burial practices observed are unusual for the period, with bodies interred together in a single pit. Evidence of beheading, dismemberment, and a lack of personal artifacts suggests a violent end and subsequent stripping of possessions. One skeleton stood out due to its remarkable height and the presence of trepanation on its skull.

Further analysis of the skeletons' teeth and bones is expected to reveal their origins, possibly distinguishing between Anglo-Saxon and Viking individuals. The trepanned individual, measuring 6 feet 5 inches, may have suffered from a pituitary tumor causing abnormal growth, with trepanation potentially an attempt to alleviate severe headaches. This find is part of a larger five-year investigation at the historic Wandlebury site.