In June 2009 a thousand-year-old execution pit was discovered at Ridgeway Hill, on a hilltop by the ancient main road from Dorchester to Weymouth. The pit contained the remains of 51 robust young warriors, most of whom were in their late teens to early 20s. Since no pins or toggles were found, it is suggested that before the execution the men were stripped naked. Between AD 890 and 1034 (according to radiocarbon dating) these young men were publicly executed: their heads were hacked off with swords or axes. When beheaded, they were still alive, since the bodies show signs of multiple blows, like deep cut marks on the skulls, jaws and the necks. The severed heads were neatly stacked aside, while the bodies were thrown tangled into a pit. One victim seemingly tried to shield himself from the blows, and his fingers were sliced through.
At the time Danish settlers controlled large territories in the north and east of England. Anglo-Saxons in the south and west, as well as Celts in Scotland and Wales resisted continuing Viking raids. The initial study of the execution pit led to the idea that the bodies in it were a Viking raiding party, which was trapped. Last week this theory was confirmed.
Dr. Jane Evans from U.K.’s NERC Isotope Geoscience Laboratory examined isotopes extracted from teeth belonging to ten bodies, which allowed to determine geographic origins of these people. The group was from different parts of Scandinavia. One person is even thought to have come from north of the Arctic Circle.
A mass grave of Vikings who were executed by Anglo-Saxons is certainly a thrilling find. It reminds us that Scandinavian raiders were not always victorious over the inhabitants of the coastal regions that they pillaged.
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I don’t believe for one minute, that viking wariors would let themselves be taken alive and publicly beheaded, what a bunch of crap!!!! The remaining wariors that prevailed , more than likely buried there dead, posibly cutting there heads of befor burial to set spirit free!!!!