The Mystery of the Headless Romans

[Viventius]

Just to confirm: York Archaeological Trust (who did the excavations at Driffield Terrace where the skeles were found) had no editorial control with regards to the content of the programme. They didn't know what the content would be until it was shown on tv. In the end, only one of their staff members appeared in the final cut, for a couple of minutes. As you can you see from YAT's website, they had other ideas about what might have happened to the bodies. I think the programme was interesting, and by no means the worst tv archaeology I've seen. Note: the skeletons were buried over a period of a couple of hundred years, so that they are not going to be the product of a single eg. military event.

As for the amphitheatre - London's amphitheatre was only found about ten years ago. What London and York have in common, is the sheer length of occupation (from at least the 1st century up to the modern age), so an amphitheatre could easily be lost under the build up ...

Check here for Kurt Hunter-Mann (York Archaeological Trust) talking about the skeletons on a local radio show (BBC Leeds). He's talking between 30 mins and 1 hour 10 mins. Listen by 1st July as it will be taken down then: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0 ... 3_06_2010/

PS It's local radio, so you also get Kurt talking about whips, penguins and Manchester United hock:

Sponsor Team Roman at: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/comitatus

[Robert Vermaat]

you also get Kurt talking about whips, penguins and Manchester United hock:

I was not aware that these topics were related. I'm stunned. :wink:

[Viventius]

So was I :!: But it's local radio, and there was another person being interviewed at the same time, so ...

[mcbishop]

They have never found an amphitheatre at York (so, maybe there wasn't one?)

Hmm, I wouldn't lay money on that one, Mike. The equation legionary base = amphitheatre all too often comes to fruition. I bet there's even one at Usk, if they looked hard enough, where they could throw recalcitrant Celts to the badgers! ;-) )

you also get Kurt talking about whips, penguins and Manchester United

A linux-powered masochism machine?!

As for the amphitheatre - London's amphitheatre was only found about ten years ago. What London and York have in common, is the sheer length of occupation (from at least the 1st century up to the modern age), so an amphitheatre could easily be lost under the build up

I even have books on Roman York (no names, no pack drill) speculating on where it may be (all I know is that it wasn't in the last deep hole I had to look into in York - I only ever get watching briefs with nothing in 'em, witness my triumphant uncovering of the site of the Battle of Fulford... not).

Mike Bishop

[Viventius]

I even have books on Roman York (no names, no pack drill) speculating on where it may be (all I know is that it wasn't in the last deep hole I had to look into in York - I only ever get watching briefs with nothing in 'em, witness my triumphant uncovering of the site of the Battle of Fulford... not).

In the update (2004) you may find he steps back from the challenge of its exact location :wink:

Better luck with Fulford next time

[Caratacus]

They have never found an amphitheatre at York (so, maybe there wasn't one?)

Hmm, I wouldn't lay money on that one, Mike. The equation legionary base = amphitheatre all too often comes to fruition. I bet there's even one at Usk, if they looked hard enough, where they could throw recalcitrant Celts to the badgers! ;-) ) Mike Bishop

You know something about badgers that I don't? Maybe that's why the Senedd (Welsh Assembly Government to you) wants to carry out a badger cull - nothing to do with bovine TB, it's REVENGE! :twisted:

One thing that programme did not make clear was that the bodies were not all buried at the same time (more poor programme making there, I'd say). That does make a difference to the possible scenarios, I would have thought. It should rule out mutiny or a single campaign loss - but might permit of executions rather than deaths in the arena. Yet another example of my 'Point 3' - find a so-called 'fact' that's merely a supposition and then construct a whole arguement on top of it.

No, I wouldn't lay money on there not being an amphitheatre at York. As you say, the two things go hand in hand, generally. But until one turns up, there's a break in the chain of reasoning. If the arguement is that these skeletons were those of gladiators and that therfore there must have been an amphitheatre for them to die in, it kind of stands the whole thing on its head. :? lol:

I do feel very sorry for the people at the YAT - they are now tarred with this particular brush and it's not their fault at all.

Mike Thomas

[Astiryu1]

I do feel very sorry for the people at the YAT - they are now tarred with this particular brush and it's not their fault at all.
Mike Thomas

I agree!!! The film producers and directors are to blame for this; and if they want to make quality programs should listen to people who know the facts and build their craft around that. Until then the process will continue with the select few documentaries being relevant.

Does the YAT have any plans of a public release of the findings? I am sure many of us would appreciate it.

[John Conyard]

This afternoon my sons were watching kids TV on the BBC with YAT expounding the gladiator theory. Historical tourism equates to big bucks in York, based on Romans, Vikings or whatever else. I am sure the gladiator concept will be a useful money spinner for future work. I am sure there is no harm intended.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I agree!!! The film producers and directors are to blame for this;

Arrrrr, crucify the blighters, arrr!!! :twisted:

[ParthianBow]

Check here for Kurt Hunter-Mann (York Archaeological Trust) talking about the skeletons on a local radio show (BBC Leeds). He's talking between 30 mins and 1 hour 10 mins. Listen by 1st July as it will be taken down then: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0 ... 3_06_2010/

PS It's local radio, so you also get Kurt talking about whips, penguins and Manchester United hock:

Thanks for the link, Viventius. For anyone who wants to listen - start at 40 minutes, not 30, as that's when they start talking about the skeletons...