York Historic Environment Record

York Osteoarchaeology Ltd was commissioned by York Archaeological Trust (YAT) to carry out the osteological analysis of 82 skeletons, cremated bone from 37 features (representing eighteen cremation burials and 19 assemblages of residual cremated bone), and 101 contexts of disarticulated bone. The skeletal remains were recovered from two separate excavations at 1-3 Driffield Terrace excavated in 2004-2005, and 6 Driffield Terrace excavated in 2005. Osteological analysis confirmed initial impressions that the remains from the two sites were likely to derive from the same cemetery, which is situated along a Roman road leading from Roman York in a south-western direction to Tadcaster. The burials dated to the Roman period, to between the late first or early second century AD to the late fourth century AD, and many of the cremation burials dated from the later phases of the site. The cemetery appeared rather disorganised, as graves were not arranged in rows, there was some intercutting of burials, and burial orientations were somewhat variable. Most inhumed individuals had been interred in an extended supine position, on variations of northeast-southwest/ northwest-southeast (or inverted) alignments. A small percentage of burials were flexed on their left or right sides, and three had been interred in prone positions. The frequency of decapitation was exceptionally high, with 70.8% of the burial population having been decapitated (based on osteological and contextual evidence). Most individuals had been decapitated with a single cut, but multiple cuts to the neck were observed on occasion. Where direction could be established, the majority of cuts were delivered from behind. The severed heads had been placed in a variety of positions, most frequently near the legs or in the correct anatomical position. Seven of the graves contained multiple burials, and notably, the heads of the individuals in one double burial had been interchanged. The cemetery was almost exclusively devoted to the burial of young to middle aged males. Of the 75 adults only one was female (98.5% of sexed adults were male), and there was a complete lack of adults aged over 45 years. Three of the seven non-adults were adolescents in their late teens (probably socially regarded as adults), but four young children were identified (a foetus, a neonate, and two juveniles). The average stature was slightly above average for the period, but the range was large, and the population appeared to be genetically diverse. Numerous pathological conditions were observed, particularly trauma. Evidence for peri-mortem blade injuries was extensive, but most of this was associated with decapitation. Peri-mortem blunt force injuries were scarce. One individual had possible animal bite marks in his pelvis. The frequency of healed trauma was high, and included injuries potentially associated with inter-personal violence (e.g. Cranial and facial trauma, dental fractures and fractures to the first metacarpals), as well as injuries potentially caused through accidental means, such as twisted ankles and falls. Evidence for infection was also frequent, and included inflammation of the lower limbs (some of which may have been due to trauma), and respiratory infections. Otherwise, frequencies of joint disease and most dental diseases were low, as would be expected given the young age of the population. Despite the slightly above average stature, there was evidence that suggested that these individuals experienced childhood stress in the form of cribra orbitalia and enamel hypoplasia. Various developmental anomalies of the skeleton and teeth were also observed.