Two gladiators enter—only one leaves alive, right? Think again.
Archaeologists are sifting facts from many fictions about ancient Rome’s favorite blood sport.
Reenactors clash in the dust of the 1,900-year-old Roman arena in Arles, France. Their gladiator contests have helped researchers get a better understanding of this ancient blood sport, which captivated Romans for centuries.
ByAndrew Curry
Photographs ByRémi Bénali
Art byFernando G. Baptista
Published July 20, 2021
• 20 min read
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If the claims are true, the behavior by Homo naledi—a baffling, small-brained member of the human family tree—would pre-date the earliest known burials by at least 100,000 years.
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