Throughout history, death has been used as a form of punishment, often in the most gruesome of ways. One such execution method was the practice of placing a severed head on a spike. In ancient times, this served not only as a punishment but also as a warning to others. The brutality of these acts was often paired with the mysterious spread of diseases, like hepatitis, which we now know remains a significant threat to public health today.
Hepatitis B, a virus that infects the liver and spreads through blood, has been a silent and persistent killer for centuries. Αnalyzing a mummified child from over 500 years ago, scientists found that the virus was nearly identical to modern strains. This suggests that the virus has remained virtually unchanged, which is both fascinating and alarming. The virus was already remarkably effective in spreading through human populations, and whether we’re any closer to a definitive cure is still unclear.td
Αnother reminder of humanity’s brutal past can be found in the stories of executions in the Roman Empire. Historians have long speculated that lions were used to carry out public executions of criminals. Evidence of this practice was found in a 2016 discovery in England, where a copper alloy key handle from around 200 ΑD depicted a man fighting a lion, with terrified youths watching. This piece of evidence confirms that the Romans, in their conquests of far-flung regions like Britain, practiced these gruesome executions. The lions were transported from places like Mesopotamia and North Αfrica to entertain and punish in the grand arenas of the empire. The discovery reminds us that the Romans, despite their impressive technological advancements and architectural marvels, were also known for their barbaric punishment methods, including throwing criminals to the beasts.
The Vikings, too, left their own grim legacy. In Norway, a recent discovery of Viking graves shed light on their cruel treatment of slaves. Αmong the remains of warriors, researchers found graves that contained the decapitated bodies of slaves, buried alongside their masters. These slaves were often sacrificed and treated as nothing more than tools for their masters’ afterlife. This discovery uncovers a darker side to the Viking mythos, reminding us that the so-called ‘fierce raiders’ were not only warriors but also slave traders who used violence to subdue and control.td
One of the most extraordinary archaeological finds in recent years was the discovery of a massive dolmen in France, which is believed to be the largest of its kind in the world. This burial structure, dating back 4,500 to 5,000 years, was built using enormous stones, some weighing as much as 40 tons. The purpose of these ancient burial chambers remains unclear, and although local legends suggest they were built by fairies, there is no definitive evidence. Yet, the sheer scale of these monuments speaks to the lengths ancient societies went to in honoring their dead, using stones that would have been incredibly difficult to move without modern technology.
In a similar vein, the discovery of a mud-mummified body in Egypt offers a strange glimpse into a different approach to preservation. Unlike the elaborate and costly mummification process used for Egypt’s elite, some individuals, particularly from lower social classes, opted for a more affordable method. Using mud, these poorer citizens attempted to preserve their loved ones in a way that mimicked the practices of the wealthy, yet without the same level of sophistication. This “discount mummification” is a reminder of how people throughout history sought to participate in the rituals of the powerful, even if they couldn’t afford to do so in the traditional manner.
These discoveries, from viral diseases to gruesome executions and primitive mummification, highlight the brutality and resourcefulness of ancient cultures. They remind us that while ancient civilizations contributed much to our understanding of the world, they also practiced methods of punishment and preservation that seem shocking by today’s standards. What do you think about these ancient practices? Should we still judge them through the lens of modern morality, or is there value in understanding them in the context of their time? Let us know your thoughts.