“Lion Bite” by Roman Skeleton at Driffield Terrace in York

And the human remains found in the Roman Cemetery in York are the first direct physical evidence of gladiatorial combat between men and wild beasts everywhere in the Roman world.

The skeleton was excavated and examined from one of the world's most preserved Gladiator cemeteries – Driffield Terraces, in 2010, where archaeologists discovered the skeletons of 82 young men.

Experts at the time noted that individuals were strongly constructed as a result of training and the frequency of violence-related injuries.

Roman skeleton found at Driffield Terrace in 2019 (Image: York Archaeological Trust)

Marine Horst, lecturer in Bone Curves at the Department of Archaeology at York University, and the managing director of York Bone Artisan, said, “The bite mark could have been made by a lion. Set in the Roman world.”

This is the final evidence from a work that began in 2004, when the first skeletons were excavated in the Roman Cemetery 1,800 years ago along the Roman road from York to Tadcaster.

Professor Tim Thompson, a graduate of Maynooth University in Ireland, added:

“The skeleton, a man between the ages of 26 and 35, was buried in a grave with two others, covered in horse bones.”

Lion bite wounds were confirmed by comparing them with bite samples from lions at the zoo. It was likely that it was the cause of his death, the university said.

They added that the skeleton analysis refers to this as Bestarius, the gladiator role performed by volunteers and slaves.

Roman skeleton with a lion-shaped bite at the waist (Image: Anwen Caffell)

Holst added: “This is a very exciting discovery, because we can start to create a better image of what these gladiators were like in life. We also see the presence of big cats and potentially other exotic animals in urban arenas such as York and how they had to protect themselves from the threat of death.

“We often have spiritual images of these battles that occur in the epic environment of the Roman Colosseum, but these latest discoveries show that these sporting events are far beyond the heart of Roman territory.

York was holding events at the Gladiator Arena, perhaps until the fourth century, after the Gladiator isna, due to the fact that there were many senior generals and politicians in the city, including Constantine, who appointed emperor in 306 AD.

Dig in St Saviourgate will host the skeleton as part of a Roman exhibition that includes reconstruction of gladiator faces.