Archaeologists excavating an ancient fortress in Almendralejo, Spain, have uncovered a striking burial site—believed to belong to a Roman soldier who died around 1,800 years ago.
The discovery was made during an archaeological survey conducted before the installation of solar panels at a solar farm. This excavation not only revealed a remarkable ancient settlement but also the eerie remains of a man buried in a highly unusual and unsettling manner.
A Disturbing Burial with a Roman Dagger
The remains were found in a shallow grave near one of the fortress’s defensive trenches. The individual, estimated to have been between 25 and 35 years old at the time of death, was buried face down with a Roman dagger—a pugio—deliberately placed on his back. Even more chillingly, his legs had been severed.
Experts believe this type of burial suggests punishment, potentially an execution for desertion or theft.
The dagger, still in pristine condition and sheathed, dates back to the late first century BCE. While the exact cause of death remains unknown, the presence of the dagger strongly indicates a military connection.
“The deliberate placement of the pugio in the burial signifies the individual’s social standing and affiliation with the military,” explained César M. Pérez, lead archaeologist from Tera S.L., in an interview with El País.
An Unusual and Dishonorable Burial – The Mystery of the Severed Legs
The removal of the man’s legs adds another layer of complexity to this discovery. Some archaeologists speculate that this act could represent a punishment for fleeing—a fate not uncommon for deserters in the Roman army.
Under Roman military law, deserters faced severe consequences. One infamous punishment was fustuarium—a brutal execution method where fellow soldiers would beat the accused to death. Whether this individual met such a fate remains uncertain.
The burial has been dated to the second or third century CE, aligning with the presence of the Legio VII Gemina in Spain, which was established in 74 CE. Unlike other legions frequently engaged in warfare, the Legio VII Gemina primarily served in escort and security roles.
This raises intriguing questions about why this particular soldier’s burial was so unusual and seemingly dishonorable.
Investigating the Soldier’s Origins
To better understand his background, researchers extracted DNA from one of his teeth. This analysis aims to uncover his ancestry and potentially link him to a specific cultural group.
If his burial customs differ from traditional Roman military practices, it could suggest that he came from outside Spain or that his death was part of a local ritual.
The Fortress and Its Hidden Treasures
This remarkable burial is just one piece of a larger, culturally significant archaeological discovery. The site, known as Cortijo Lobato, dates back nearly 5,000 years to the Bronze Age.
Strategically positioned atop a hill, the fortress features three concentric stone walls, 25 bastions, and three defensive trenches—some as wide as four meters and as deep as two meters.
Archaeologists believe the fortress was originally built to protect agricultural production during a period of severe drought. By around 2450 BCE, it was abandoned.
For nearly three millennia, the site remained largely uninhabited until the Roman administration took control in the second or third century BCE.
Within the fortress, researchers have unearthed a wealth of artifacts, including arrowheads, stone figurines, axes, grinding tools, plates, pottery, and loom weights.
The discovery of a water reservoir, along with charred wood remnants, suggests that attackers may have eventually overrun and destroyed the fortress. The abundance of arrowheads further supports this theory.
Unraveling the Soldier’s Fate
Genetic analysis and further excavations may shed light on the soldier’s identity, the cause of his death, and whether he was indeed a deserter or faced another form of punishment.
