Swedish archaeologists uncover brutal 5th century massacre

A three-year dig has uncovered the shocking violence with which the inhabitants of the coastal village of Sandby Borg were struck downArchaeologists in Sweden have uncovered startling evidence of a massacre more than 1500 years ago, when the inhabitants of a small village were struck down in their houses or as they fled along the street, and their bodies left to rot where they fell – with their treasures including beautiful jewellery and Roman gold coins.At Sandby Borg on the shore of Öland island, off the south-east coast of Sweden, there was no escape. In one house an old man was smashed on the skull so that he fell into the fire in the open hearth, where his body was charred to the bone. In another a teenage boy, possibly trying to flee, tripped over a body lying on the floor , and died where he fell.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 25, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Maev Kennedy Tags: Archaeology Science Sweden Europe Source Type: news