Archaeologists at the 2,000-year-old Celtic fort of La Loma in northern Spain recovered a single skull within collapsed ramparts. Analysis suggests it belonged to a local man in his mid-40s who died during the Roman siege of 25 B.C. The condition of the bone and lack of other remains indicate the severed head was likely left exposed—possibly displayed on the walls as an intimidation tactic. Excavations continue after additional skull fragments were found near the entrance.
Skull from 2,000‑Year‑Old Celtic Fort Suggests Romans Displayed Severed Head as Warning
Archaeologists at the 2,000-year-old Celtic fort of La Loma in northern Spain recovered a single skull within collapsed ramparts. Analysis suggests it belonged to a local man in his mid-40s who died during the Roman siege of 25 B.C. The condition of the bone and lack of other remains indicate the severed head was likely left exposed—possibly displayed on the walls as an intimidation tactic. Excavations continue after additional skull fragments were found near the entrance.
06:25 AM, 11/21/2025Conflict
Archaeologists excavating the 2,000-year-old Celtic fort of La Loma in northern Spain have recovered a single human skull embedded in the rubble of collapsed fortifications. Scientific analysis indicates the skull belonged to a local defender—likely a man around 45 years old—who appears to have been killed during the Roman siege of 25 B.C. and whose severed head may have been displayed on the ramparts as a warning.
La Loma, in the modern province of Palencia, was one of several fortified settlements attacked during the Cantabrian Wars (c. 29–19 B.C.), when Rome sought to secure the Iberian Peninsula. Historical sources link these campaigns to Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus), and the archaeological evidence at La Loma—hundreds of projectiles outside the walls and fragments of damaged armor and weapons near the entrance—points to a violent final assault and close-quarters fighting.
The skull was found within the debris layer associated with the demolition of the fort's walls. DNA and osteological analysis published Nov. 11 in the Journal of Roman Archaeology indicate the individual was likely local to the region and approximately 45 years old at death. No other skeletal remains or a burial were found in association with the skull.
Condition of the bone—in particular flaking, light coloration and extensive fragmentation—led researchers to conclude the head had probably been left exposed to the elements rather than interred. The excavators interpret this as consistent with punitive displays recorded in Roman contexts, where heads and other body parts were sometimes exhibited as trophies or instruments of intimidation.
"The skull was broken during the demolition of the walls," said Santiago Domínguez-Solera, director of Heroica Archaeology and Cultural Heritage and lead author of the study. "This means that the head was exposed for a few months."
Despite this interpretation, the team cautions that the precise manner of display remains unclear: there are no diagnostic marks on the bone—such as perimortem cut marks or evidence of impalement—that would definitively identify how the head was mounted or shown. The researchers suggest the head was likely placed on the fortifications during the Roman occupation, then fell and became mixed with the rubble when the walls were dismantled.
Excavations at La Loma are ongoing. The team reports additional human skull fragments recovered this season near the fort's entrance, which they will study for further evidence of violent treatment and postmortem display. Continued analysis aims to refine our understanding of the siege's final hours and how Rome treated defeated defenders in this region.
Sources: Study published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology; statements from Santiago Domínguez-Solera and the excavation team.