Archaeologists believed that the violent killing happened 1000 years ago – the 51 skeletons had languished near Weymouth, Dorset.Oxford Archaeology removed the skulls which had been placed together in one part of a pit, and the bodies which had been thrown roughly into a heap a few feet away. Chemical analysis was used to study the teeth from 10 men – and led to a remarkable piece of information. The men are thought to have grown up in an environment much colder than the UK, with one set of remains believed to be from the Arctic Circle.
Carbon dating showed they were buried between 910 and 1030AD, a time when England was being unified under Saxon kings and when Vikings from Denmark had begun a second wave of raids on the South Coast.
Oxford Archaeology project manager David Score said: "To find out that the young men executed were Vikings is a thrilling development.
"Any mass grave is a relatively rare find, but to find one on this scale, from this period of history, is extremely unusual."
Researchers had no doubts that the bodies belonged to Vikings.
Archaeology news: The vikings were decapitated (Image: Oxford Archaeology)
Archaeology news: 51 bodies were found (Image: Oxford Archaeology)
Evidence suggested they were captured by British soldiers after arriving in the country to raid.
The blows to the back of their necks were so fierce that the swords cut into the jaws and collarbones.
One man had wounds to his hands - indicating that he grabbed for the blade in a futile bid to save himself. Others suffered blows to pelvis, stomach and chest.
There were more bodies than skulls, leading to speculation that three dismembered heads were displayed on stakes.
Archaeology news: Damage to the bones from attacks were evident (Image: Oxford Archaeology)
Oxford Archaeology bone specialist Ceri Boston said after the find in March 2010: "It was not a straight one slice and head off. They were all hacked at around the head and jaw.
"It doesn't look like they were very willing or the executioners very skilled.
"We think the decapitation was messy because the person would have been moving around.
"The location is a typical place for a Saxon execution site - on a main road and a parish boundary and close to prehistoric barrows."
History suggests that the Viking raiders could be just as ruthless as their reputation.
Archaeology news: Vikings came to the UK to loot (Image: Oxford Archaeology)
Archaeology news: The bodies shed new light on UK history (Image: Oxford Archaeology)
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