Tomb Discovered in Croatia Reveals Touching Story of Twins in Ancient Rome

Recent archaeological excavations in Trogir (ancient Tragurium), Croatia, have revealed a remarkable and heartbreaking discovery dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries AD: the remains of twin babies buried side by side. This significant find, uncovered at the Dragulin cemetery near the ancient city of Tragurium, not only highlights the burial practices of the time but also raises important questions about the health conditions faced by infants in ancient societies.

History and Importance of Tragurium

Ancient Tragurium, known today as Trogir, was founded as a Greek settlement in the 3rd century BC. It later became part of the Roman Empire, flourishing as a significant trade and cultural center. The city is renowned for its well-preserved Roman architecture, including temples, forums, and residential buildings, reflecting the influence of Greek and Roman cultures. Tragurium’s strategic coastal location facilitated maritime trade, contributing to its economic prosperity.

The Tragic Story of the Twins and Scientific Findings

The skeletal remains of the twins, a boy and a girl, were found face to face in the same burial pit, indicating they were buried simultaneously. Genetic testing confirmed they were fraternal twins, a rarity in Roman burial records. This discovery challenges the prevailing notion that infant deaths were often treated with indifference in Roman culture. The careful positioning of the twins indicates that their family took special care in their short lives, reflecting a deeper emotional connection and concern.

Bioarchaeological analysis of the remains revealed alarming signs of severe metabolic diseases, including scurvy and rickets, indicative of significant nutritional deficiencies. These conditions suggest that the twins likely suffered from malnutrition even before birth, possibly due to their mother’s health during pregnancy. Isotopic analysis of the skeletal remains indicates that the mother’s diet consisted of typical Roman foods such as seafood, wheat, and barley, consistent with broader Mediterranean dietary patterns. This finding underscores the critical role of maternal nutrition in fetal development and infant health.

Another layer of complexity in this discovery is the potential link between the twins’ health issues and lead exposure, a well-documented problem in Roman society. Lead was commonly used in various aspects of daily life, from water pipes to cooking utensils. Previous studies have shown that lead levels in Roman populations were significantly higher than in earlier societies, raising concerns about its impact on health. Although the Tragurium twins have not yet been tested for lead exposure, the prevalence of metabolic disorders in the community suggests that lead contamination may have contributed to their health challenges.

Funerary Practices and Infant Mortality in the Roman Period

The burial of the Tragurium twins also sheds light on the funerary practices of the time. In Roman culture, infant burials often differed from those of adults, with infants sometimes buried in informal spaces or household areas. The Dragulin cemetery has yielded numerous infant graves, including some within large clay jars, indicating a specific funerary pattern for young children. This contrasts with the more structured burial practices typically reserved for adults, suggesting a nuanced understanding of life and death within the community.

The discovery of the Tragurium twins offers a rare and valuable perspective on the lives of infants in ancient Roman society. Through a combination of archaeological, genetic, and chemical analyses, researchers have begun to reconstruct the twins’ short lives, their health challenges, and the cultural practices surrounding their burial. This find not only enriches our understanding of early Roman funerary customs but also highlights broader issues of health, nutrition, and societal attitudes towards infant mortality in ancient times. As further research unfolds, the Tragurium twins will undoubtedly continue to illuminate the complexities of life in the Roman world.

This study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.

Cover Image Credit: Ancient Roman ruins in Trogir, Croatia. Credit: Michael Wong / CC BY-NC 2.0

Anna Osterholtz, Mario Novak, et al., Death and burial of a set of fraternal twins from Tragurium: An osteobiographical approach. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 62, April 2025, 105071. doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105071