Maynooth researcher confirms gladiators fought wild animals

A GROUNDBREAKING discovery led by Professor Tim Thompson of Maynooth University has provided the first physical evidence that Roman gladiators fought wild animals.

A human pelvic bone with large carnivore bite marks, most likely from a lion, was unearthed from a Roman-period cemetery near York, England.

The bone was found in a grave believed to contain the remains of around 20 gladiators, and shows distinct impressions from teeth, which confirms a lion attack rather than injury by weapon.

Researchers used forensic techniques comparing bite marks with those left by lions in zoo studies to reach their conclusion.

The study confirms that arena spectacles, including battles with exotic animals, extended beyond Rome into Roman Britain.