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I think the Optio on the right side is Erik de Wagt, so it seems to be Leg II AVG (NL), probably together with soldiers from the Archeon themepark.
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That's interesting that coffins were used. Perhaps that isotope teeth analysis can determine if they were from the Middle-east? Or else, could they possibly have been Christians? Were Christians using burials at that time?
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In unique, is that as in unique for the Netherlands?
I know there are sarcophagi in York, and also recall seeing several coffin burials in England from Roman periods.
Wish I could visit this place sometime.
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
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Hmmm ... maybe the newspapers will follow it up in more detail.
(One of the coffins known to me contained a hydrocephalic child along with clay "toy" animals and figurines -- quite touching, really.)
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I think full-body inhumation was always practiced by the Romans, but it became rare as the society became more wealthy. The theory goes that cremation was more expensive as it entailed procuring the wood necessary. Sesteri documented that graves in Rome itself dating to the monarchy and early republic periods were majority cremations. Some 23% were full-body inhumations while 77% were cremation burials. I had assumed that into the Empire this percentage of full-body inhumations continued to fall and the use of coffins were rare.