While it's unclear why the man was beheaded, other burials hundreds of miles away may offer a clue. A chemical analysis of the man's remains suggests that he grew up in southern Britain. Beheading bodies may have been an obscure burial rite for some southern Britons, as other headless bodies from about the same time have been found in that region, John H. Reid, an archaeologist at the Trimontium Trust who was not involved in the excavations, told Live Science.
Despite this disability, however, it's possible that the man used weapons in his other hand, or had a job in the Roman army that did not require frontline fighting, such as a clerk.
The man was probably about 50 years old when he died between A.D. 142 and 165. His remains were then buried near the Roman fort at Inveresk, on Scotland's east coast just southeast of what's now Edinburgh, according to the statement.
Researchers at National Museums Scotland and the independent U.K.-based forensic anthropologist Christopher Rynn created the facial construction based on the man's skull.
The facial reconstruction is based on the shape of the man's skull. He is shown here without a beard, which was based on what was common at this time. (Image credit: Chris Rynn)
The Romans had hoped to secure all of Scotland under their rule after their invasion of Britain under Emperor Claudius in A.D. 43. They tried to impose control after their victory against a coalition of native Caledonian tribes at the Battle of Mons Graupius (possibly near the Scottish city of Perth) in about 83. But by about 120, the Romans had retreated to the heavily fortified line of Hadrian's Wall, near the modern border of England and Scotland.
Strange burial
Jess Turner, an osteoarchaeologist at National Museums Scotland, with the skull of the man buried outside the Roman fort at Inveresk. (Image credit: Duncan McGlynn)Reid told Live Science that Scotland's soil seldom preserved human skeletons, making the discovery of a Roman-era burial an uncommon find. Although the man had been decapitated after his death, other aspects of his grave indicated he was buried with dignity. In other words, his burial was unlike those of executed criminals, who were often decapitated in Roman-era Britain, he said.
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The chemical analysis looked at the ratios of isotopes, or variations of chemical elements, in the man's remains. This analysis suggested that the man had grown up in southern Britain. Alternatively, he may have been recruited from a nearby region, such as the coast of what's now the Netherlands, that gave the same isotopic profile, Reid said.
What do you know about the Empire's conquest of the British Isles? Find out with our Roman Britain quiz!
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