Throughout history, death has been used as a form of punishment, often in the most gruesome ways. One such method of execution was the practice of nailing a severed head to a stake. In ancient times, this served not only as a punishment, but also as a punishment for others. The brutality of these acts was often associated with the mysterious spread of diseases, such as hepatitis, which we now know continues to be a major threat to public health.

Hepatitis B, a virus that affects the liver and spreads through the bloodstream, has been a silent and persistent cause of death for centuries. By analyzing a mummified child from more than 500 years ago, scientists found that the virus was identical to modern strains. This suggests that the virus has remained largely intact, which is both fascinating and alarming. The virus was already remarkably effective at spreading through human populations, and it is still unclear whether we are any closer to a definitive cure.

Another reminder of humanity’s brutal past can be found in the accounts of executions in the Roman Empire. Historians have long speculated that lions were used to carry out public executions of criminals. Evidence of this practice was found in a 2016 discovery at Epsilad, where a copper alloy key dated to around 200 AD was found. It showed a map showing a lion fighting while terrified young men watched. This evidence confirms that the Romans, in their conquests of regions as far away as Britain, practiced these gruesome executions. The Romans were transported from places like Mesopotamia and North Africa to large parts of the empire from outside and inside. The discovery reminds us that the Romans, despite their impressive technological advances and architectural wonders, were also known for their barbaric methods of punishment, including throwing criminals to the animals.

The Vikings also left their own dark legacy. In Norway, a recent discovery of Viking graves has shed light on the cruel treatment of slaves. Among the remains of the warriors, researchers found tombs containing decapitated bodies of slaves, buried alongside their masters. These slaves were often sacrificed and treated as little more than tools for their masters’ afterlife. This discovery reveals a darker side of the Viking myth, reminding us that the so-called “fierce raiders” were not only warriors, but also slave traders who used violence to subjugate and control.

One of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries in recent years has been that of a huge dolmen in Fraice, believed to be the largest of its kind in the world. This burial structure, which dates back between 4,500 and 5,000 years, was constructed using enormous staircases, some of which weighed up to 40 tons. The purpose of these royal burial chambers remains unclear, and although local legends suggest they were built by fairies, there is no conclusive evidence. However, the magnitude of these events speaks to the lengths human societies go to when waiting for their dead, using staircases that would be incredibly difficult to navigate without modern technology.

Similarly, the discovery of a clay mummified body in Egypt offers a rare glimpse into a different approach to preservation. In contrast to the expensive and elaborate mummification process used by the Egyptian elite, some people, especially those from the lower social classes, opted for a more affordable method. Using clay, these poorer citizens attempted to preserve their loved ones in a way that mimicked the practices of the wealthy, but without the same level of sophistication. This “mummification of discovery” is a reminder of how people throughout history have sought to participate in the rituals of the powerful, even when they could not do so on the traditional map.

These discoveries, from viral diseases to gruesome executions and primitive mummifications, highlight the brutality and lack of resources of ancient cultures. They remind us that while ancient civilizations contributed greatly to our organization of the world, they also practiced methods of punishment and preservation that seem shocking by today’s standards. What do you think of these ancient practices? Should we still judge them by the principles of modern morality, or is there value in considering them in the context of their time? Let us know what you think.