More than 400 bodies exhumed from UK Roman cemetery during HS2 project

Site at Fleet Marston is one of more than 100 archaeological sites examined by HS2 since 2018

An Iron Age coin found at an HS2 archaeological dig near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. PA

About 40 beheaded skeletons are among the 425 bodies exhumed by HS2 Ltd archaeologists in a large Roman cemetery discovered on the route of the high-speed railway in the UK.

The 50-member team uncovered the remains at a cemetery in Fleet Marston near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HS2 Ltd said.

About 10 per cent were decapitated, with several instances of the head being placed between the legs or next to the feet.

HS2 Ltd said this could be due to the people buried being “criminals or a type of outcast”, although decapitation was a “normal, albeit marginal” part of burial during the late Roman period, towards the end of 410 AD.

The cemetery is the largest of its kind in Buckinghamshire.

The bodies will be held in storage for further analysis.

HS2 Ltd is not required to rebury them, unlike those exhumed from Christian cemeteries such as St James’s Gardens, north London.

The archaeologists also discovered more than 1,200 coins at Fleet Marston, indicating it was an area of trade and commerce.

Domestic objects including spoons, pins and brooches were found, while gaming dice and bells suggest that gambling and religious activity also occupied people’s time at the site.

The excavation was carried out over more than a year by Cotswold Archaeology and Oxford Archaeology (Copa), working on behalf of an HS2 Ltd contractor.

“The excavation is significant in both enabling a clear characterisation of this Roman town but also a study of many of its inhabitants," said Richard Brown, senior project manager at Copa.

“Along with several new Roman settlement sites discovered during the HS2 works, it enhances and populates the map of Roman Buckinghamshire.”

A man looks at the Arch of Sptimus Severus in the ancient Roman city of Leptis Magna near the coastal Libyan city of Al Khums, 120km east of Tripoli. All photos: AFP

Once one of the Roman Empire's most beautiful cities, Leptis Magna now lies neglected and shunned by tourists due to a decade of war.

Some locals, however, see its potential for rebirth.

Today, only a handful of visitors, almost all Libyans, wander among the imposing ruins at the Unesco World Heritage site – but locals dream of attracting international tourists once more.

The remains of the semi-circular theatre and the Chalcidicum, right, beyond which lie the marketplace, the Severan Forum and Basilica, top right. A year-long lull in violence in Libya has sparked hopes the country can now move on.

Locals hope the ancient ruins will be a huge draw for tourists.

Azeddine Al Fakih, head of archaeology for Leptis Magna, believes the area could create thousands of jobs, welcome millions of tourists and bring in billions of dollars.

The Hadrianic baths are pictured in the centre. Leptis Magna is a treasure trove for history lovers.

There are historic finds to be discovered at every turn in the city. Here, the Palestre (oblong area for physical exercise) is pictured.

Fine marble columns line the theatre stage.

A carved Gorgon head on arches surrounds the Severin forum.

Beautiful, intricate detail can be found on buildings throughout the city.

Fleet Marston is one of more than 100 archaeological sites examined by HS2 Ltd since 2018 on the route of the first phase of the railway between London and Birmingham.

“The HS2 archaeology programme has enabled us to learn more about our rich history in Britain," said Helen Wass, HS2 Ltd’s head of heritage.

“The large Roman cemetery at Fleet Marston will enable us to gain a detailed insight into the residents of Fleet Marston and the wider Roman Britain landscape.

“All human remains uncovered will be treated with dignity, care and respect and our discoveries will be shared with the community.”