The extensive dating programme and detailed analysis of the burials have shown that each cemetery and burial group seems to have different demographic profiles, distinct burial ritual patterns and grave goods.

Healam Bridge was a substantial Roman settlement, covering at least 18ha. The 25 skeletons and 7 cremation burials were widely distributed across the site and dated from the 1st to the 4th century. Most of the burials contained young children, one of which was buried in an unusual position with the legs bent backwards, accompanied by a puppy and a finger ring. Remarkably, four Roman footprints were found and examined by a podiatrist specialising in biomechanics.  These were shoe size 3, likely belonging to an older child or female.  The footsteps were a long distance apart and there was a difference in force distribution between the left and right foot, suggesting that the individual suffered from an unusual gait, perhaps due to club foot, polio or tuberculosis.

The cemetery at Bainesse on the western side of Dere Street included 232 inhumations and 17 cremation burials dating from the 1st to the 5th century, providing an insight into this population throughout the Roman period. Several burials were stacked and grave goods were seen in the 3rd century graves, including pierced coins and hob-nailed shoes. A quarter of the population were children, mostly young juveniles, while the adults died between the ages of 26 and 35 years. Childhood stress indicators were common, which may have led to individuals being short-lived. Two individuals were buried face down and two were decapitated.

At Cataractonium, a Roman vicus and fort dating from the 1st to the late 4th century, 31 inhumations and 9 cremation burials were excavated. Most of the burials were found in the back gardens of buildings backing onto Dere Street. Among the more common artefacts found in the graves, such as hob-nailed shoes and chicken bones were more unusual grave goods, such as fishing hooks or a stack of 9 coins in the mouth of one of the skeletons. There were more males here, and most individuals were middle-aged, though a third of the population were children. Several infants and cremation burials were excavated within the Roman settlement.

The multidisciplinary analysis applied here provided a wealth of information on Roman funerary behaviour. We published our findings in a free accessible monograph.

Further reading