07-03-2012, 03:03 AM
In June 2004, a press release by Colchester Museum reported that the cremated bones found near the tombstone and believed to be those of Facilis had been examined by the Museum of London Specialist Services, Archaeology Section. They were found to be of Romano-British date and to be those of a man aged "probably in his early thirties". If they are indeed the bones of Facilis, it would appear most likely that he had died while still in service. The press release was noted in RAT by Robert Vermaat at the time and the results of the tests are referred to by Graham in his article. The text of the release can be found here:
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webad...2a1f9.0406.
I would be interested to know if the tests have been formally published.
If the pottery cup mentioned in RIB as having been found with the bones is correctly dated, it would provide a terminus post quem for the burial of about AD50. If Facilis died while legio XX was still based at Colchester, as seems to be the case, this would suggest that he did so not long before the departure of the legion and the establishment of the colonia in AD49-50.
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webad...2a1f9.0406.
I would be interested to know if the tests have been formally published.
If the pottery cup mentioned in RIB as having been found with the bones is correctly dated, it would provide a terminus post quem for the burial of about AD50. If Facilis died while legio XX was still based at Colchester, as seems to be the case, this would suggest that he did so not long before the departure of the legion and the establishment of the colonia in AD49-50.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
