An archaeological discovery in Germany offers rare insight into the animals that helped carry an ancient civilization.
In July 2024, a construction project in Stuttgarts Bad Cannstatt borough unearthed approximately 100 horse skeletons.
Bad Cannstatt was an important Roman military site during the first half of the second century AD.
A construction project revealed an ancient Roman horse cemetery.© State Office for Monument Preservation in the Stuttgart Regional Council/ArchaeoBW
The recent excavation, detailed in astatementfrom the regional government of Baden-Wurttemberg on Wednesday, confirms this interpretation.
Hallschlag is a neighborhood in Bad Cannstatt.
The dead horses were buried individually in shallow pits away from both the ancient cavalry fort and civilian settlement.
One of the horses was buried with grave goods. © State Office for Monument Preservation in the Stuttgart Regional Council/ArchaeoBW
Each location must have been visually marked, since the pits rarely overlap, Roth explained.
The process was in fact more of a disposal than a proper burial.
The inclusion of these objects indicates a close bond between the horse and its owner.
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