Discovery Details
Archaeologists discovered a skeleton in , with bite marks from a large cat, likely a lion, on the pelvis, marking the first physical evidence of gladiators fighting animals outside the Colosseum.
The skeleton, part of a burial site believed to be for gladiators, was between 1,825 and 1,725 years old. The find supports historical accounts of such combats being part of Roman entertainment culture.
Research and Reactions
The study, led by and published in , used 3D scans to analyze the bite marks, confirming they were made by a large feline, likely a lion, around the time of death.
While the discovery aligns with historical texts and artwork depicting human-animal combats, some scholars debate the individual's identity as a gladiator, suggesting he could be a condemned prisoner.