Archaeologists in Croatia have uncovered the remains of twin babies buried together in a Roman-era grave dating between the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.
The discovery, made at the Dragulin cemetery near the ancient city of Tragurium, now Trogir, Croatia, offers a rare glimpse into early infant burials and the health conditions of the time.
The skeletons, placed face to face in the same burial pit, suggest the twins were laid to rest together in a single event. Experts believe they may have died from birth complications or an early illness, highlighting the high infant mortality rates of ancient societies.
A rare archaeological discovery
Genetic testing confirmed that the infants were fraternal twins, a boy, and a girl – an unusual find in Roman burial records. Their placement within the cemetery raises questions about funerary traditions, particularly in a region with deep Greek and Roman influences.
Tragurium, originally a Greek settlement before becoming part of the Roman world, retained elements of Hellenistic culture. In both Greek and Roman societies, infant burials often differed from those of adults.
While adults were commonly cremated or buried in structured cemeteries, infants were sometimes interred in household areas or private spaces.
At the Dragulin cemetery, several infant graves have been found, including some inside large clay jars, a practice seen in Roman traditions.
The positioning of the Tragurium twins suggests their family took special care in their burial, challenging the notion that Roman society treated infant deaths with indifference.
Health problems and nutritional deficiencies
Bioarchaeological analysis of the remains revealed signs of severe metabolic diseases, including scurvy and rickets – conditions caused by a lack of essential nutrients. Researchers believe the twins suffered from malnutrition before birth, possibly due to their mother’s health condition during pregnancy.
Further isotopic analysis suggests the mother’s diet consisted of foods typical of the Roman era, including seafood, wheat, and barley. The reliance on marine products and grains aligns with broader Mediterranean dietary patterns influenced by Roman food culture.
The findings confirm that the twins received all their nutrients from their mother, either in the womb or through breastfeeding.
Potential link to lead contamination
Experts are also exploring whether lead exposure played a role in the twins’ health problems. Lead was widely used in Roman society, and found in water pipes, cookware, and cosmetics.
Studies indicate that lead levels in Roman populations were significantly higher than in earlier societies, particularly in regions where Greek settlements had been adapted to Roman infrastructure.
Lead poisoning can disrupt fetal development and weaken the immune system, making infants more vulnerable to disease.
Although scientists have not yet tested the Tragurium twins for lead exposure, the high number of metabolic disorders in the community suggests contamination may have been a contributing factor.
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