While working on a high-speed rail project an hour northwest of London, an ancient Roman cemetery was discovered, leading to the unearthing of headless corpses.
The discovery was announced by United Kingdom archeologists who said about 40 2,000-year-old decapitated corpses were found and unearthed during the construction of the HS2 project, the company reported in a statement.
In a statement, HS2 shared why the bodies could possibly be without their heads.
"One interpretation of this burial practice is that it could be the burial of criminals or a type of outcast, although decapitation is well-known elsewhere and appears to have been a normal, albeit marginal, burial rite during the late Roman period," HS2 said in the statement.
Along with the headless corpses were ruins of the village, ancient coins, artifacts, and burial sites for more than 400 people. As for who the 40 headless bodies were, some had their heads placed at their feet and between their legs, and some did not have them at all, the researchers said.
The discovery is significant for historians who shared that they will be able to learn more about the Roman era in Britain and how residents once lived there. In addition, archeologists have discovered tools, ancient pottery, ornaments, and an old lead die.
As for the bodies, Helen Wass, HSD Ltd's head of heritage, shared that the corpses found will be treated with respect.
"All human remains uncovered will be treated with dignity, care and respect and our discoveries will be shared with the community," Wass said.
The ancient town would have been located between the former Roman Cities of Corinium Dobunnorum, now Cirencester, and Verulamium, now St. Albans. This would help explain the hundreds of ancient coins found, suggesting "trade and commerce" took place there.
The rail system is a planned cross-country, high-speed line, and since work began on it in 2018, HS2 has investigated almost 100 archeological sites.
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