Chemical analysis of the warrior's bones show he was mostly vegetarian
Posted on 10/09/2009 9:21:37 AM PDT by BGHater
A late Roman period body unearthed in Gloucester has stunned experts after tests suggested it was a Goth warrior from eastern Europe.
The man, aged 25 to 30, who was dug up north of Kingsholm Square in 1972, had always baffled archaeologists.
His elaborate silver belt fittings, shoe buckles and inlaid knife were believed to be from an area between the Balkans and Southern Russia.
Chemical tests now prove he was from east of the River Danube.
This has led historians to suggest he was a Goth mercenary in the Roman Army.
Pirate warden?
The large bones date to about 400AD, just 10 years before Rome itself fell to Visigoth invaders, and tests showed he was mostly vegetarian.
They were discovered in a mausoleum, suggesting he was a man of high social status.
David Rice, archaeology curator at Gloucester City Museum, said: "Archaeologists have always wondered who he was and what he was doing in Gloucester.
"We've discovered he came from way outside of the Roman Empire, from the other side of the Danube."
It was possible to detect he lived in very cold regions as a child, before moving west, he said.
Mr Rice added: "To have such an unusual person in this city means that Gloucester was a more important place in Roman times than we've previously thought.
"Perhaps there were pirates coming up the River Severn?"
Chemical analysis of the warrior's bones show he was mostly vegetarian
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
Vegetarian Goth warrior from eastern Europe ping.
did they find Doc Marten’s in the grave goods?
It was possible to detect he lived in very cold regions as a child, before moving west, he said.
Not sure, but it looks like he died from a spear to the lips.
“Not sure, but it looks like he died from a spear to the lips.”
Either that or his veggie diet included a lot of nuts.
Really HARD nuts.
The joints and other bones could be severely damaged over time. I guess they would assume that the conditions began when ‘he’ was a child.
Maybe he was a Priscillianist (a late 4th-century Christian ascetic group, mainly in Spain, which practiced vegetarianism).
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Thanks BGHater. |
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Did Halloween come early?
I am going to have to have my DNA rechecked, lost the initial test. My family lived in Gloustershire for at least a thousand years, no one liked Black or Dark Red Lipstick as far as I know.
I’m always annoyed by the geekier goth girls who don’t wear makeup with their elaborate outfits. It’s just so sloppy!
Good grief, they’re both guilty as sin.
That’s where my family was from,too. Don’t know how long they were there, though.
I tried to have mine checked, turned out I have EOB instead.
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