Roman mass grave discovered in Vienna

Construction workers in Vienna have discovered a previously unknown Roman mass grave during renovation work at the Ostbahn-XI sports field. Archaeological investigations and radiocarbon dating place the burial in the late first or early second century AD.

The site contains approximately 150 human remains, including 129 nearly complete skeletons. The remains were found in up to four layers without uniform orientation, with some limbs intertwined and no visible sediment layers between burial stages. This suggests the individuals were buried in connection with a single event.

Bioarchaeological analysis indicates that 92 of the 129 nearly complete individuals were male, most aged between 20 and 35. Researchers believe the group was likely military, supported by recovered artifacts including two iron spearheads, fragments of scale armor, a Roman helmet cheekpiece, military sandal nails, and a corroded dagger. The skeletons also exhibit an unusually high number of injuries that researchers have not yet fully explained.