Seven skeletons discovered in a 2011 well excavation at Roman Mursa (modern Osijek) have been reanalyzed using radiocarbon dating, bioarchaeology, stable isotopes, and ancient DNA. The evidence places the burials in the mid-third century C.E. and indicates all were robust adult males with combat injuries—consistent with Roman soldiers likely killed during the Battle of Mursa (c. 260 C.E.). Isotope and genetic results point to nonlocal origins, and the bodies appear to have been stripped of valuables before being thrown into the well. Researchers plan to examine a second nearby well that may contain additional battle victims.
14 Years Later: Mass Grave Identifies Roman Soldiers from the Battle of Mursa (c. 260 C.E.)
Seven skeletons discovered in a 2011 well excavation at Roman Mursa (modern Osijek) have been reanalyzed using radiocarbon dating, bioarchaeology, stable isotopes, and ancient DNA. The evidence places the burials in the mid-third century C.E. and indicates all were robust adult males with combat injuries—consistent with Roman soldiers likely killed during the Battle of Mursa (c. 260 C.E.). Isotope and genetic results point to nonlocal origins, and the bodies appear to have been stripped of valuables before being thrown into the well. Researchers plan to examine a second nearby well that may contain additional battle victims.
01:51 AM, 11/18/2025Conflict
New Study Reveals Identities of Seven Skeletons Found in a Croatian Well
In 2011, construction at a college site in Osijek, Croatia, exposed a surprising archaeological feature: seven fully preserved skeletons hidden inside an ancient well at the Roman-period city of Mursa. At the time, the remains yielded few immediate clues. A multidisciplinary study published in PLOS One now combines radiocarbon dating, bioarchaeological analysis, stable isotope measurements, and ancient DNA to reconstruct who these individuals were and when they died.
Dating and archaeological context
Radiocarbon results place the burials in the mid-third century C.E., consistent with the Crisis of the Third Century. A single Roman coin found in the well, minted in 251 C.E., supports a third-century date. The authors argue that the most plausible historical context is the Battle of Mursa (around 260 C.E.), a major and violent clash in the region.
Biological profile and injuries
All seven remains are adult males. Osteological analysis indicates four were aged 18–35 and three were aged 36–50. The men are described as robust, with statures above the average for the period and skeletal markers of intense physical activity—traits consistent with soldiers.
The skeletons show multiple traumatic lesions: heavy cranial blows suggestive of close, face-to-face combat; broken teeth; cuts and nicks on arm and rib bones; one hip injury consistent with an attack from behind; and evidence that another individual was likely pierced by an arrow or spear. The nature and distribution of these injuries closely match patterns seen in battle-related assemblages.
Diet, origin and burial treatment
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis indicate a diet dominated by plant foods, with limited terrestrial animal protein and very little marine protein. The authors suggest this dietary pattern—and the absence of genetic continuity with the local Early Iron Age population in the ancient DNA results—points to a nonlocal, diverse military group rather than a local civilian population.
Investigators report that the individuals were probably stripped of valuables such as weapons and jewelry before being discarded into the well; only the 251 C.E. coin was recovered alongside the skeletons.
Conclusions and further work
Taken together, the chronological, osteological, isotopic, and genetic evidence strongly supports the interpretation that these seven men were Roman soldiers killed during a catastrophic event in the Crisis of the Third Century—most plausibly the Battle of Mursa. The excavation team has identified a second nearby well containing human remains and plans further analyses, which may reveal additional victims connected to the battle.
Significance: This study illustrates how integrated scientific approaches—radiocarbon dating, osteology, isotopes, and ancient DNA—can transform a puzzling discovery into a detailed portrait of past lives and violence on the Roman frontier.