Latest news with #MalinHolst
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Man recovered from ‘gladiator graveyard' died of lion bite, study finds
Editor's note: A version of this story appeared in CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Legends of young heroes fighting lions to the death appear in Roman records and artwork, but scant physical evidence of these beastly battles exists. Perhaps, that is, until now. A new study sheds light on the story of a young man, likely between the ages of 26 and 35, discovered with a fatal bite mark from a large animal. His remains were buried between 1,825 and 1,725 years ago in what archaeologists believe to be a 'gladiator graveyard' — hundreds of miles from Rome — in York, England. The findings highlight the Roman Empire's sweeping impact across Britain — lending direct evidence that Roman culture and lifestyle spread far beyond the Colosseum. The human remains at the heart of the new study have puzzled researchers since the burial site was uncovered in 2010. Scientists involved in the expedition, led by the York Archaeological Trust, suspected the divots in the man's pelvis were the work of a carnivore. But delving into the precise culprit showed the markings 'were likely made by a lion, which confirms that the skeletons buried at the cemetery were gladiators, rather than soldiers or slaves, as initially thought,' said study coauthor Malin Holst of the University of York. Here's what the bone analysis revealed about the man and how the researchers determined what was behind the lethal bite markings. Watch chimpanzees sharing fermented fruit, which contains intoxicating traces of alcohol. The first-of-its kind footage could highlight how the closest living relatives to humans may partake in a boozy treat to strengthen bonds that's similar to our social rites. What's nearly as long as a bus, has teeth the size of bananas and has a scientific name that translates to 'terror crocodile'? Behold: Deinosuchus. The roughly 26-foot-long creature of nightmares is believed to have lived between 82 million and 75 million years ago, dining on dinosaurs in the rivers and estuaries of North America. While prior research on the giant reptile's evolutionary background has put it in the same group as alligators and their ancient relatives, a new analysis of fossils and DNA suggests it belongs on a different branch of the crocodilian family tree. That assessment boils down to one key trait: Deinosuchus had special glands and a tolerance for salt water, according to the study. Further animating our understanding of the creatures that populated prehistoric Earth are trace fossils — or ancient animal tracks frozen in time. Researching these fascinating rocks is like 'trying to study ghosts,' said Conner Bennett, lead author of a study that described the story behind several trace fossils in the collection of Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The footprint fossils can pick up where bones leave off, confirming the presence of animals. For example, one set of tracks estimated to be about 50 million years old tells the story of a small wading bird pausing near a lakeshore in central Oregon to search for food. Without the footprints, the unprecedented evidence of birds in the ancient ecosystem may have been lost to time: Their fragile, hollow skeletons don't hold up well. Tucked away in one of the world's largest collections of fossilized insects, the oldest recorded ant species nearly remained overlooked. Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at the University of São Paulo's Museum of Zoology in Brazil, spotted the 'extraordinary' specimen as he was perusing some of the museum's fossils. That's when he came across the hell ant, preserved in limestone. The critter was believed to have lived among dinosaurs some 113 million years ago — several millennia before previously found ants, according to new research. 'I was just shocked to see that weird projection in front of this (insect's) head,' Lepeco said. 'Other hell ants have been described with odd mandibles, but always as amber specimens.' At wildlife conservancies in Africa, four-legged friends are invigorating efforts to combat poaching. Professional dog trainers Darren Priddle and Jacqui Law of Carmarthen, Wales, spearhead the initiative, called Dogs4Wildlife. After they saw a picture of a poached African rhino on social media in 2015, they set out to use their expertise training animals to help combat illegal hunting. 'It was quite a horrific image. We sat down and we said, 'OK, that's really affected us,'' Priddle told CNN. The duo has since sent 15 stalwart canines to five sub-Saharan African countries, including Shinga, a Belgian Malinois, and Murwi, a Dutch shepherd, who protect big game at Zimbabwe's Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy. Check out these must-read science stories from the week: — The head of the US National Science Foundation stepped down from his post as the agency grapples with the Trump administration's demands. — A Pakistani astronaut will become the first foreign national to enter China's space station, Tiangong. — Scientists spotted a 1940s Ford automobile inside the sunken USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier lost during the Battle of Midway. Before you go, it's time to look skyward: Saturday is the last day to catch a glimpse of the Lyrid meteor shower. Like what you've read? Oh, but there's more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt and Jackie Wattles. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world.
CNN
26-04-2025
- Science
- CNN
Man recovered from ‘gladiator graveyard' died of lion bite, study finds
Legends of young heroes fighting lions to the death appear in Roman records and artwork, but scant physical evidence of these beastly battles exists. Perhaps, that is, until now. A new study sheds light on the story of a young man, likely between the ages of 26 and 35, discovered with a fatal bite mark from a large animal. His remains were buried between 1,825 and 1,725 years ago in what archaeologists believe to be a 'gladiator graveyard' — hundreds of miles from Rome — in York, England. The findings highlight the Roman Empire's sweeping impact across Britain — lending direct evidence that Roman culture and lifestyle spread far beyond the Colosseum. The human remains at the heart of the new study have puzzled researchers since the burial site was uncovered in 2010. Scientists involved in the expedition, led by the York Archaeological Trust, suspected the divots in the man's pelvis were the work of a carnivore. But delving into the precise culprit showed the markings 'were likely made by a lion, which confirms that the skeletons buried at the cemetery were gladiators, rather than soldiers or slaves, as initially thought,' said study coauthor Malin Holst of the University of York. Here's what the bone analysis revealed about the man and how the researchers determined what was behind the lethal bite markings. Watch chimpanzees sharing fermented fruit, which contains intoxicating traces of alcohol. The first-of-its kind footage could highlight how the closest living relatives to humans may partake in a boozy treat to strengthen bonds that's similar to our social rites. What's nearly as long as a bus, has teeth the size of bananas and has a scientific name that translates to 'terror crocodile'? Behold: Deinosuchus. The roughly 26-foot-long creature of nightmares is believed to have lived between 82 million and 75 million years ago, dining on dinosaurs in the rivers and estuaries of North America. While prior research on the giant reptile's evolutionary background has put it in the same group as alligators and their ancient relatives, a new analysis of fossils and DNA suggests it belongs on a different branch of the crocodilian family tree. That assessment boils down to one key trait: Deinosuchus had special glands and a tolerance for salt water, according to the study. Further animating our understanding of the creatures that populated prehistoric Earth are trace fossils — or ancient animal tracks frozen in time. Researching these fascinating rocks is like 'trying to study ghosts,' said Conner Bennett, lead author of a study that described the story behind several trace fossils in the collection of Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The footprint fossils can pick up where bones leave off, confirming the presence of animals. For example, one set of tracks estimated to be about 50 million years old tells the story of a small wading bird pausing near a lakeshore in central Oregon to search for food. Without the footprints, the unprecedented evidence of birds in the ancient ecosystem may have been lost to time: Their fragile, hollow skeletons don't hold up well. Tucked away in one of the world's largest collections of fossilized insects, the oldest recorded ant species nearly remained overlooked. Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at the University of São Paulo's Museum of Zoology in Brazil, spotted the 'extraordinary' specimen as he was perusing some of the museum's fossils. That's when he came across the hell ant, preserved in limestone. The critter was believed to have lived among dinosaurs some 113 million years ago — several millennia before previously found ants, according to new research. 'I was just shocked to see that weird projection in front of this (insect's) head,' Lepeco said. 'Other hell ants have been described with odd mandibles, but always as amber specimens.' At wildlife conservancies in Africa, four-legged friends are invigorating efforts to combat poaching. Professional dog trainers Darren Priddle and Jacqui Law of Carmarthen, Wales, spearhead the initiative, called Dogs4Wildlife. After they saw a picture of a poached African rhino on social media in 2015, they set out to use their expertise training animals to help combat illegal hunting. 'It was quite a horrific image. We sat down and we said, 'OK, that's really affected us,'' Priddle told CNN. The duo has since sent 15 stalwart canines to five sub-Saharan African countries, including Shinga, a Belgian Malinois, and Murwi, a Dutch shepherd, who protect big game at Zimbabwe's Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy. Check out these must-read science stories from the week: — The head of the US National Science Foundation stepped down from his post as the agency grapples with the Trump administration's demands. — A Pakistani astronaut will become the first foreign national to enter China's space station, Tiangong. — Scientists spotted a 1940s Ford automobile inside the sunken USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier lost during the Battle of Midway. Before you go, it's time to look skyward: Saturday is the last day to catch a glimpse of the Lyrid meteor shower.
CNN
26-04-2025
- Science
- CNN
Man recovered from ‘gladiator graveyard' died of lion bite, study finds
Legends of young heroes fighting lions to the death appear in Roman records and artwork, but scant physical evidence of these beastly battles exists. Perhaps, that is, until now. A new study sheds light on the story of a young man, likely between the ages of 26 and 35, discovered with a fatal bite mark from a large animal. His remains were buried between 1,825 and 1,725 years ago in what archaeologists believe to be a 'gladiator graveyard' — hundreds of miles from Rome — in York, England. The findings highlight the Roman Empire's sweeping impact across Britain — lending direct evidence that Roman culture and lifestyle spread far beyond the Colosseum. The human remains at the heart of the new study have puzzled researchers since the burial site was uncovered in 2010. Scientists involved in the expedition, led by the York Archaeological Trust, suspected the divots in the man's pelvis were the work of a carnivore. But delving into the precise culprit showed the markings 'were likely made by a lion, which confirms that the skeletons buried at the cemetery were gladiators, rather than soldiers or slaves, as initially thought,' said study coauthor Malin Holst of the University of York. Here's what the bone analysis revealed about the man and how the researchers determined what was behind the lethal bite markings. Watch chimpanzees sharing fermented fruit, which contains intoxicating traces of alcohol. The first-of-its kind footage could highlight how the closest living relatives to humans may partake in a boozy treat to strengthen bonds that's similar to our social rites. What's nearly as long as a bus, has teeth the size of bananas and has a scientific name that translates to 'terror crocodile'? Behold: Deinosuchus. The roughly 26-foot-long creature of nightmares is believed to have lived between 82 million and 75 million years ago, dining on dinosaurs in the rivers and estuaries of North America. While prior research on the giant reptile's evolutionary background has put it in the same group as alligators and their ancient relatives, a new analysis of fossils and DNA suggests it belongs on a different branch of the crocodilian family tree. That assessment boils down to one key trait: Deinosuchus had special glands and a tolerance for salt water, according to the study. Further animating our understanding of the creatures that populated prehistoric Earth are trace fossils — or ancient animal tracks frozen in time. Researching these fascinating rocks is like 'trying to study ghosts,' said Conner Bennett, lead author of a study that described the story behind several trace fossils in the collection of Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The footprint fossils can pick up where bones leave off, confirming the presence of animals. For example, one set of tracks estimated to be about 50 million years old tells the story of a small wading bird pausing near a lakeshore in central Oregon to search for food. Without the footprints, the unprecedented evidence of birds in the ancient ecosystem may have been lost to time: Their fragile, hollow skeletons don't hold up well. Tucked away in one of the world's largest collections of fossilized insects, the oldest recorded ant species nearly remained overlooked. Anderson Lepeco, a researcher at the University of São Paulo's Museum of Zoology in Brazil, spotted the 'extraordinary' specimen as he was perusing some of the museum's fossils. That's when he came across the hell ant, preserved in limestone. The critter was believed to have lived among dinosaurs some 113 million years ago — several millennia before previously found ants, according to new research. 'I was just shocked to see that weird projection in front of this (insect's) head,' Lepeco said. 'Other hell ants have been described with odd mandibles, but always as amber specimens.' At wildlife conservancies in Africa, four-legged friends are invigorating efforts to combat poaching. Professional dog trainers Darren Priddle and Jacqui Law of Carmarthen, Wales, spearhead the initiative, called Dogs4Wildlife. After they saw a picture of a poached African rhino on social media in 2015, they set out to use their expertise training animals to help combat illegal hunting. 'It was quite a horrific image. We sat down and we said, 'OK, that's really affected us,'' Priddle told CNN. The duo has since sent 15 stalwart canines to five sub-Saharan African countries, including Shinga, a Belgian Malinois, and Murwi, a Dutch shepherd, who protect big game at Zimbabwe's Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy. Check out these must-read science stories from the week: — The head of the US National Science Foundation stepped down from his post as the agency grapples with the Trump administration's demands. — A Pakistani astronaut will become the first foreign national to enter China's space station, Tiangong. — Scientists spotted a 1940s Ford automobile inside the sunken USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier lost during the Battle of Midway. Before you go, it's time to look skyward: Saturday is the last day to catch a glimpse of the Lyrid meteor shower.
News.com.au
26-04-2025
- Science
- News.com.au
Archaeologists discover ‘large cat' bite marks on Roman gladiator skeleton for first time
Bite marks discovered on an ancient Roman skeleton in the UK have been hailed as the first ever physical evidence of gladiators fighting large cats like lions and tigers in public games. The skeleton was one of 82 excavated in a 2004 dig at the Driffield Terrace cemetery in York, one of the only known Roman-era burial grounds thought to have been used for gladiatorial combatants. A team of researchers from led by Professor Tim Thompson, a forensic expert from Maynooth University in Ireland, investigated 'unusual lesions' on the pelvis of one skeleton, a man estimated to have been aged between 26 and 35. The researchers compared the size and shape of the bite marks using samples from large cats at London Zoo. They concluded the injuries were consistent with those from a lion — likely not from a direct attack but by 'scavenging' shortly after the unfortunate gladiator was decapitated, 'either to put him out of his misery at the point of death, or for the sake of conforming to customary practice'. The findings, published in the Journal of Science and Medical Research PLoS One this week, represent the 'first physical evidence for human-animal gladiatorial combat from the Roman period seen anywhere in Europe'. 'The spectacle of Roman gladiatorial combat captures the public imagination and elicits significant scholarly interest,' the authors wrote. 'Skeletal evidence associated with gladiatorial combat is rare, with most evidence deriving from written or visual sources.' The individual in question, dubbed 6DT19, was one of three adults found buried in the same box and overlaid with horse bones. Malin Holst, a senior lecturer in Osteoarchaeology at the University of York, told the BBC the man's remains revealed the story of a 'short and somewhat brutal life'. David Jennings, chief executive of York Archaeology, told the broadcaster, 'We may never know what brought this man to the arena where we believe he may have been fighting for the entertainment of others, but it is remarkable that the first osteoarchaeological evidence for this kind of gladiatorial combat has been found so far from the Colosseum of Rome, which would have been the classical world's Wembley Stadium of combat.' York, in northern England, was founded as a Roman legionary outpost in 71AD and later served as the provincial capital from the early third century, with occasional visits from the emperor himself. Most large Roman cities, particularly those that hosted important dignitaries and wealthy nobles, would feature an arena for staging gladiatorial combat for public entertainment as a display of wealth. Although the York amphitheatre has not yet been found, the researchers say the bodies exhumed from Driffield Terrace lend credence to the theory that the city would have staged fighting games. Almost all of the remains were men aged 18 to 45, many with significant injuries including fractured teeth, skulls, thumbs and vertebrae — signs 'strongly associated with interpersonal violence'. 'Overall, the osteological evidence provides us with a picture of young or middle aged men, originating from across the Roman Empire, engaging in repetitive and sustained acts of violence,' they wrote. Roman 'beast hunts' (venationes), which pitched people against wild animals like lions, tigers, leopards, bears and even elephants, have been extensively documented in texts, mosaics, inscriptions and sculptures — and depicted in films like Gladiator. 'Animals were used, too, as the agents of spectacular mutilation and execution of criminals, captives from warfare and other perceived deviants, including Christians, who were also sometimes forced to participate in such events, known as ' damnatio ad bestias ',' they wrote. However, the 'nature and scale of person-animal combat in Roman Britain is contested'. 'While images survive of such confrontations, there has been no published evidence to date which provides direct testimony of such events taking place in the province.' The researchers noted the logistical challenge of transporting lions from North Africa to Roman Britain would have come at significant cost. 'It has been argued that emperors were almost as concerned with the supply of sufficient animals to populate venationes and other spectacles as they were for ensuring the availability of staple foodstuffs, with concomitant investment in infrastructure to sustain that supply,' they wrote.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Roman gladiator was killed in epic battle with lion 2,000 years ago, experts determine from his skeleton
Bite marks found on a skeleton in a Roman cemetery in England have provided the first archaeological evidence of an epic battle between a gladiator and a lion. The fighter in question was a male, aged between 26 and 35, with a strong build and several healed injuries. The most notable observation from the find in York, England, was what appeared to be a bite wound found on his hip bone. Malin Holst, lecturer in Osteoarcheology at the University Of York, said: 'The bite marks were likely made by a lion, which confirms that the skeletons buried at the cemetery were gladiators, rather than soldiers or slaves, as initially thought. 'They represent the first osteological confirmation of human interaction with large carnivores in a combat or entertainment setting in the Roman world.' Sadly, it appears the wound never healed - and is likely to have been the cause of his death, experts said. The skeleton was excavated from one of the best-preserved gladiator graveyards in the world, Driffield Terrace, in 2010. There, researchers have been examining the remains of 82 well-built young men. At the time, they could tell from tooth enamel the wide variety of Roman provinces from around the world that the skeletons hailed from. The gladiator in question was buried in a grave with two others and overlaid with horse bones. In life, he appears to have had some issues with his spine that may have been caused by overloading to his back, inflammation of his lung and thigh, as well as malnutrition as a child. To understand exactly what animal had caused the deadly bite, the experts compared it to samples from a zoo. There, they confirmed at match with a lion. While the bite proved deadly, it is believed that the individual was decapitated after death, which appears to have been a ritual for some during the Roman period. Analysis of the skeleton points towards this being a Bestarius, a gladiator role undertaken by volunteers or slaves. Professor Tim Thompson, from Maynooth University in Ireland, said: 'For years, our understanding of Roman gladiatorial combat and animal spectacles has relied heavily on historical texts and artistic depictions. 'This discovery provides the first direct, physical evidence that such events took place in this period, reshaping our perception of Roman entertainment culture in the region.' The team said that people often have a mental image of these combats taking place within the grand surroundings of the Colosseum in Rome, but findings show these sporting events had a far reach well beyond the center of core Roman territories. Holst added: 'An amphitheater probably existed in Roman York, but this has not yet been discovered.' York appears to have held gladiator arena events until as late as the fourth century AD, perhaps due to the fact there were many senior generals and politicians that held posts in the city. This included Constantine, who appointed himself emperor there in 306 AD. The presence of distinguished Roman leaders in York would have meant they required a lavish social life, so it is not a surprise to see evidence of gladiator events, as well as such an extensive burial site for them, the researchers said. However, it is interesting to confirm the presence of animals as large as a lion at these sites, and not just wild boar and deer, they added. Owners of gladiators would not have wanted them to die as they were expensive 'sports people' - not too dissimilar to sports stars of the modern era. As such they wanted them to win and to be able to fight again. David Jennings, CEO of York Archaeology, said: 'This latest research gives us a remarkable insight into the life – and death – of this particular individual, and adds to both previous and ongoing genome research into the origins of some of the men buried in this particular Roman cemetery. 'We may never know what brought this man to the arena where we believe he may have been fighting for the entertainment of others, but it is remarkable that the first osteo-archaeological evidence for this kind of gladiatorial combat has been found so far from the Colosseum of Rome, which would have been the classical world's Wembley Stadium of combat.' The findings were published in the journal Plos One. 55BC - Julius Caesar crossed the channel with around 10,000 soldiers. They landed at a Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet and were met by a force of Britons. Caesar was forced to withdraw. 54BC - Caesar crossed the channel again in his second attempt to conquer Britain. He came with with 27,000 infantry and cavalry and landed at Deal but were unopposed. They marched inland and after hard battles they defeated the Britons and key tribal leaders surrendered. However, later that year, Caesar was forced to return to Gaul to deal with problems there and the Romans left. 54BC - 43BC - Although there were no Romans present in Britain during these years, their influence increased due to trade links. 43AD - A Roman force of 40,000 led by Aulus Plautius landed in Kent and took the south east. The emperor Claudius appointed Plautius as Governor of Britain and returned to Rome. 47AD - Londinium (London) was founded and Britain was declared part of the Roman empire. Networks of roads were built across the country. 50AD - Romans arrived in the southwest and made their mark in the form of a wooden fort on a hill near the river Exe. A town was created at the site of the fort decades later and names Isca. When Romans let and Saxons ruled, all ex-Roman towns were called a 'ceaster'. this was called 'Exe ceaster' and a merger of this eventually gave rise to Exeter. 75 - 77AD - Romans defeated the last resistant tribes, making all Britain Roman. Many Britons started adopting Roman customs and law. 122AD - Emperor Hadrian ordered that a wall be built between England and Scotland to keep Scottish tribes out. 312AD - Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal throughout the Roman empire. 228AD - The Romans were being attacked by barbarian tribes and soldiers stationed in the country started to be recalled to Rome.
