1 00:00:03,937 --> 00:00:06,002 [narrator] it's one of the greatest defeats in history. 2 00:00:06,077 --> 00:00:07,995 The mighty roman empire 3 00:00:08,004 --> 00:00:10,002 Brought to its knees by barbarian hordes. 4 00:00:10,077 --> 00:00:11,842 The vandals, the goths, 5 00:00:11,917 --> 00:00:14,555 They are described as exceeding all savagery 6 00:00:14,590 --> 00:00:18,315 With an inhuman desire for violence. 7 00:00:18,390 --> 00:00:21,355 [narrator] and the romans blamed one tribe and one man, 8 00:00:21,390 --> 00:00:24,722 As the greatest threat to their civilization-- 9 00:00:24,797 --> 00:00:28,475 The huns, led by the infamous attila. 10 00:00:28,510 --> 00:00:30,242 [darius] the name is legendary. 11 00:00:30,317 --> 00:00:33,915 This is a person who is truly transforming the world. 12 00:00:33,950 --> 00:00:35,915 [narrator] but the shocking discovery of a cemetery 13 00:00:35,950 --> 00:00:40,355 Full of strangely shaped skulls challenges that story. 14 00:00:40,430 --> 00:00:44,242 Fifty-one individuals had very heavily deformed skulls. 15 00:00:44,317 --> 00:00:48,795 Every skull had a very exotic genetic ancestry. 16 00:00:48,830 --> 00:00:50,562 [narrator] because it's not the only time 17 00:00:50,637 --> 00:00:52,882 These strange looking people have appeared 18 00:00:52,957 --> 00:00:54,722 During a time of chaos. 19 00:00:54,797 --> 00:00:57,915 [matt] this is a phenomenon we see across the world 20 00:00:57,950 --> 00:00:59,515 And throughout human history. 21 00:00:59,550 --> 00:01:02,355 It's the difference between life and death. 22 00:01:02,430 --> 00:01:04,475 [narrator] now, a cutting-edge investigation 23 00:01:04,510 --> 00:01:08,835 Is revealing the mysteries of these unnatural skulls, 24 00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:12,315 And it rewrites the fall of the roman empire. 25 00:01:12,350 --> 00:01:15,155 [hannah-marie] they say history is written by the victors, 26 00:01:15,230 --> 00:01:17,682 But in this case, that's not accurate. 27 00:01:19,277 --> 00:01:20,995 [dramatic music] 28 00:01:21,070 --> 00:01:23,955 [narrator] the relics of the past hold secrets. 29 00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:26,715 [ground crumbling] 30 00:01:26,750 --> 00:01:27,842 [soldier shouts] 31 00:01:27,917 --> 00:01:30,242 Written in gold. 32 00:01:30,317 --> 00:01:31,355 Stone. 33 00:01:31,364 --> 00:01:32,355 [soldier shouts] 34 00:01:32,430 --> 00:01:33,835 And blood. 35 00:01:33,844 --> 00:01:36,995 We can unlock them. 36 00:01:37,070 --> 00:01:41,882 These are the secrets of history's greatest treasures. 37 00:01:51,950 --> 00:01:54,555 [curious music] 38 00:01:54,564 --> 00:01:56,715 They're one of history's most puzzling 39 00:01:56,750 --> 00:01:58,482 And disturbing mysteries. 40 00:01:59,917 --> 00:02:03,835 Skeletons with bizarre cone-shaped skulls. 41 00:02:03,870 --> 00:02:07,675 [matt] this is a phenomenon that we see across the world. 42 00:02:07,710 --> 00:02:11,275 We see it on every continent in eurasia, 43 00:02:11,310 --> 00:02:13,675 In the south pacific, in south america, 44 00:02:13,684 --> 00:02:15,915 Central america, north america, 45 00:02:15,950 --> 00:02:19,115 Western europe throughout history. 46 00:02:19,150 --> 00:02:21,915 [narrator] across millennia and around the world, 47 00:02:21,990 --> 00:02:24,635 Strangely shaped skulls seem to appear 48 00:02:24,670 --> 00:02:28,395 At times of chaos and violence. 49 00:02:28,404 --> 00:02:31,755 But now an unsettling discovery in the heart of europe 50 00:02:31,790 --> 00:02:33,915 Is shedding new light on a phenomenon 51 00:02:33,950 --> 00:02:37,275 That's perplexed experts for centuries. 52 00:02:37,310 --> 00:02:40,555 [istvan] fifty-one individuals have deformed skulls, 53 00:02:40,590 --> 00:02:42,075 And they look different. 54 00:02:42,110 --> 00:02:44,715 In case of very heavily deformed skulls, 55 00:02:44,750 --> 00:02:47,595 They don't even look natural at all. 56 00:02:47,630 --> 00:02:49,755 [dramatic music] 57 00:02:49,830 --> 00:02:51,595 [narrator] it's an investigation 58 00:02:51,630 --> 00:02:53,995 That reveals how these skulls from the roman empire 59 00:02:54,030 --> 00:02:57,915 Fit into the worldwide mystery of deformed heads. 60 00:02:57,990 --> 00:02:59,322 What connects them? 61 00:03:00,390 --> 00:03:01,835 What story do they tell 62 00:03:01,870 --> 00:03:03,315 About the turbulent times 63 00:03:03,390 --> 00:03:05,322 In which they lived and died? 64 00:03:06,910 --> 00:03:08,635 And who were they? 65 00:03:08,670 --> 00:03:11,642 [suspenseful music] 66 00:03:16,957 --> 00:03:19,755 Near the small village of mozs, hungary, 67 00:03:19,790 --> 00:03:23,635 Lies an unremarkable looking field. 68 00:03:23,710 --> 00:03:27,755 It sits on the edge of what was once the roman empire, 69 00:03:27,790 --> 00:03:30,522 Just a few miles from its easternmost frontier, 70 00:03:31,790 --> 00:03:34,082 And a recreated roman border fort. 71 00:03:35,870 --> 00:03:38,635 [istvan] this region was occupied by the romans 72 00:03:38,670 --> 00:03:41,475 At the very beginning of the first century ad, 73 00:03:41,550 --> 00:03:43,515 And remained under roman rule 74 00:03:43,524 --> 00:03:45,315 Till the middle of the 5th century. 75 00:03:45,390 --> 00:03:46,882 [dramatic music] 76 00:03:46,957 --> 00:03:48,882 People living here enjoyed 77 00:03:48,957 --> 00:03:51,755 Many advantages of being under roman rule, 78 00:03:51,790 --> 00:03:53,915 As showed by archaeological finds 79 00:03:53,950 --> 00:03:56,922 From the roman towns, villas, and forts. 80 00:03:58,590 --> 00:03:59,995 [narrator] sixteen hundred years ago, 81 00:04:00,030 --> 00:04:02,715 This was home to a small community, 82 00:04:02,750 --> 00:04:05,355 Who buried their dead in a simple cemetery. 83 00:04:05,390 --> 00:04:06,875 [eerie music] 84 00:04:06,910 --> 00:04:10,882 Here their secrets lay hidden until 1961. 85 00:04:13,044 --> 00:04:16,555 Archaeologists excavating this ordinary looking field, 86 00:04:16,590 --> 00:04:20,475 Unearth a handful of roman-era graves. 87 00:04:20,510 --> 00:04:24,475 [istvan] we are standing on the 5th century cemetery right now. 88 00:04:24,510 --> 00:04:26,875 The first burial group in the 60s 89 00:04:26,910 --> 00:04:31,355 Was actually found somewhere around that area. 90 00:04:31,390 --> 00:04:34,515 We are standing on top of the second burial ground, 91 00:04:34,590 --> 00:04:35,955 And the third burial ground 92 00:04:36,030 --> 00:04:37,882 Is across and under the highway. 93 00:04:39,204 --> 00:04:40,795 [narrator] the earliest finds 94 00:04:40,830 --> 00:04:43,435 Suggest this was a regular roman cemetery 95 00:04:43,470 --> 00:04:46,722 With bodies neatly buried in stone-lined graves. 96 00:04:47,950 --> 00:04:49,955 But as excavations continue, 97 00:04:50,030 --> 00:04:51,915 It soon becomes clear there was 98 00:04:51,950 --> 00:04:54,242 Nothing normal about this cemetery. 99 00:04:54,317 --> 00:04:59,355 [istvan] a total of 96 burials were unearthed. 100 00:04:59,390 --> 00:05:01,042 Out of the 96 burials, 101 00:05:01,117 --> 00:05:05,435 51 individuals showed signs of deformed skulls. 102 00:05:05,470 --> 00:05:07,842 [dramatic music] 103 00:05:07,917 --> 00:05:10,955 [narrator] each has a strangely elongated skull, 104 00:05:10,990 --> 00:05:12,795 [eerie music] 105 00:05:12,830 --> 00:05:15,722 Some as much as twice the length of a normal human head. 106 00:05:17,070 --> 00:05:19,675 The skulls have puzzled experts for decades. 107 00:05:19,710 --> 00:05:21,475 [eerie music] 108 00:05:21,550 --> 00:05:23,835 But now, archaeologist istvan koncz 109 00:05:23,844 --> 00:05:25,675 Believes the date of their burial 110 00:05:25,710 --> 00:05:27,682 May provide a critical clue. 111 00:05:29,710 --> 00:05:31,275 [istvan] the cemetery site is dated 112 00:05:31,310 --> 00:05:32,875 To the middle of the 5th century, 113 00:05:32,910 --> 00:05:36,882 And the 5th century was a very hectic time, 114 00:05:36,957 --> 00:05:39,955 Especially in this part of the roman empire. 115 00:05:40,030 --> 00:05:42,235 [narrator] these individuals lived and died 116 00:05:42,270 --> 00:05:43,915 During one of the ancient world's 117 00:05:43,950 --> 00:05:47,675 Most turbulent and pivotal times, 118 00:05:47,684 --> 00:05:49,995 The fall of the roman empire. 119 00:05:50,004 --> 00:05:52,882 -[people shouting] -[suspenseful music] 120 00:05:52,957 --> 00:05:55,915 [darius] it's a very traumatic period for the romans. 121 00:05:55,950 --> 00:05:57,195 Rome is sacked in 410. 122 00:05:57,230 --> 00:06:00,235 Rome is sacked again in 455. 123 00:06:00,270 --> 00:06:02,075 I mean the writing is on the wall. 124 00:06:02,110 --> 00:06:03,842 There is real change here, 125 00:06:03,917 --> 00:06:06,635 And it's not going to go back to the way it was before. 126 00:06:06,710 --> 00:06:07,915 [dramatic music] 127 00:06:07,950 --> 00:06:09,362 [narrator] at its height, 128 00:06:09,437 --> 00:06:10,875 The roman empire stretched from britain 129 00:06:10,910 --> 00:06:12,715 Through germany and eastern europe, 130 00:06:12,750 --> 00:06:14,642 To syria and north africa. 131 00:06:15,990 --> 00:06:18,722 Controlled by rigorously efficient bureaucracy 132 00:06:18,797 --> 00:06:20,875 And ruthless military might, 133 00:06:20,910 --> 00:06:25,515 This vast sophisticated civilization seemed invincible. 134 00:06:25,524 --> 00:06:27,835 -[soldiers marching] -[dramatic music] 135 00:06:27,870 --> 00:06:29,635 But it wasn't. 136 00:06:29,710 --> 00:06:32,395 [darius] in the 5th century the outsiders 137 00:06:32,404 --> 00:06:34,355 Are pushing into that empire, 138 00:06:34,430 --> 00:06:35,842 And it starts to fragment. 139 00:06:35,917 --> 00:06:38,635 -[suspenseful music] -[people shouting] 140 00:06:38,670 --> 00:06:40,515 [narrator] according to roman writers, 141 00:06:40,590 --> 00:06:44,515 It was these outsiders who caused the empire's collapse. 142 00:06:44,590 --> 00:06:46,235 Savage barbarian hordes 143 00:06:46,244 --> 00:06:49,835 Who swarmed across rome's borders, 144 00:06:49,844 --> 00:06:52,962 Including those led by the infamous attila the hun. 145 00:06:54,750 --> 00:06:56,882 [hannah-marie] the roman accounts from this period blame 146 00:06:56,957 --> 00:07:00,635 So-called barbarians at the gates. 147 00:07:00,670 --> 00:07:02,882 The idea that the roman empire 148 00:07:02,957 --> 00:07:05,595 Was invaded by outside forces, 149 00:07:05,630 --> 00:07:07,755 And that's why it fell. 150 00:07:07,830 --> 00:07:09,435 [dramatic music] 151 00:07:09,510 --> 00:07:11,115 [narrator] according to these accounts, 152 00:07:11,150 --> 00:07:14,075 The barbarians overran the empire's eastern frontier, 153 00:07:14,110 --> 00:07:16,242 Plunging it into chaos and violence. 154 00:07:17,550 --> 00:07:19,115 Shortly afterwards, 155 00:07:19,150 --> 00:07:21,435 The first strangely shaped skulls appeared 156 00:07:21,470 --> 00:07:23,842 Just six miles from this frontier 157 00:07:23,917 --> 00:07:25,755 In the cemetery at mozs, 158 00:07:25,830 --> 00:07:28,002 And it seems this wasn't a coincidence, 159 00:07:28,077 --> 00:07:29,842 Because over the following decades, 160 00:07:29,917 --> 00:07:31,755 As the roman empire crumbled, 161 00:07:31,790 --> 00:07:34,355 More and more people with deformed skulls 162 00:07:34,430 --> 00:07:37,755 Were buried in the same small patch of land. 163 00:07:37,790 --> 00:07:40,875 [gentle music] 164 00:07:40,910 --> 00:07:42,315 Cranial deformation is not present 165 00:07:42,350 --> 00:07:45,042 In the burials of the founding generation. 166 00:07:46,910 --> 00:07:49,515 But later 70% of the individuals 167 00:07:49,550 --> 00:07:51,675 Show deformed skulls. 168 00:07:51,710 --> 00:07:54,355 [eerie music] 169 00:07:54,430 --> 00:07:57,635 It becomes very, very common. 170 00:07:57,710 --> 00:07:59,155 [narrator] the remains suggest people with 171 00:07:59,230 --> 00:08:02,235 Cone-shaped skulls were taking over this outpost 172 00:08:02,270 --> 00:08:05,035 On the edge of the crumbling roman empire. 173 00:08:05,070 --> 00:08:06,875 -[people shouting] -[dramatic music] 174 00:08:06,910 --> 00:08:08,882 Were these the infamous invaders 175 00:08:08,957 --> 00:08:13,995 That roman historians blamed for the empire's collapse? 176 00:08:14,030 --> 00:08:16,675 [hannah-marie] roman accounts present us with a picture 177 00:08:16,750 --> 00:08:21,682 Of widespread destruction of roman provinces and cities 178 00:08:21,757 --> 00:08:26,715 By groups which the romans collectively termed barbarians. 179 00:08:26,750 --> 00:08:29,682 -[people shouting] -[suspenseful music] 180 00:08:29,757 --> 00:08:33,835 They are supposedly uncultured, savage. 181 00:08:33,844 --> 00:08:35,915 They invaded and brought down 182 00:08:35,950 --> 00:08:39,355 The civilized world of the romans. 183 00:08:39,390 --> 00:08:41,202 [narrator] the skulls are in the right place 184 00:08:41,277 --> 00:08:42,875 At the right time. 185 00:08:42,910 --> 00:08:44,515 [people clamoring] 186 00:08:44,590 --> 00:08:46,722 They seem to fit with the picture painted by roman writers 187 00:08:46,797 --> 00:08:50,555 Of violent savages invading from the east. 188 00:08:50,590 --> 00:08:53,355 But as archaeologists investigate further, 189 00:08:53,390 --> 00:08:55,242 Something doesn't add up. 190 00:08:57,390 --> 00:09:01,955 The remains do not show any evidence of violence. 191 00:09:02,030 --> 00:09:04,195 [narrator] these bones bear none of the injuries 192 00:09:04,270 --> 00:09:05,915 Experts would expect to see 193 00:09:05,950 --> 00:09:09,675 If they belonged to warriors who lived by the sword, 194 00:09:09,710 --> 00:09:14,835 And of a total of 96 graves, only one contained a weapon. 195 00:09:14,910 --> 00:09:16,995 [istvan] it's very surprising because these are, 196 00:09:17,070 --> 00:09:20,562 Of course, very turbulent, hectic times. 197 00:09:20,637 --> 00:09:22,115 [narrator] the evidence from mozs seems 198 00:09:22,190 --> 00:09:25,195 To contradict written accounts of the period. 199 00:09:25,230 --> 00:09:27,835 [istvan] the burials of mozs tell us a story 200 00:09:27,870 --> 00:09:30,795 That's not in the written or historical sources. 201 00:09:30,830 --> 00:09:33,515 It tells us a different story. 202 00:09:33,550 --> 00:09:35,842 [narrator] what is that story? 203 00:09:35,917 --> 00:09:39,515 How do these strangely shaped skulls fit into it? 204 00:09:39,550 --> 00:09:41,475 To find the answer experts must look 205 00:09:41,550 --> 00:09:43,955 Beyond these misty hungarian fields. 206 00:09:44,030 --> 00:09:45,362 [heartbeat pulsating] 207 00:09:45,437 --> 00:09:47,842 Because the cone-skulled beings found in mozs, 208 00:09:47,917 --> 00:09:51,835 Weren't the first to walk the earth or the last. 209 00:09:51,844 --> 00:09:54,882 [suspenseful music] 210 00:09:59,710 --> 00:10:02,635 [dramatic music] 211 00:10:02,670 --> 00:10:05,842 Locked in a laboratory in budapest, hungary, 212 00:10:05,917 --> 00:10:08,402 Lie some of the roman world's strangest 213 00:10:08,477 --> 00:10:11,722 And most disturbing archaeological finds. 214 00:10:12,750 --> 00:10:15,475 Fifty-one elongated skulls 215 00:10:15,550 --> 00:10:17,355 Unearthed in a small cemetery 216 00:10:17,364 --> 00:10:20,475 On the easternmost edge of the roman empire. 217 00:10:20,510 --> 00:10:22,395 [dramatic music] 218 00:10:22,430 --> 00:10:24,882 They date to the period immediately after the romans 219 00:10:24,957 --> 00:10:27,155 Abandoned the region in the first decades 220 00:10:27,230 --> 00:10:28,995 Of the 5th century ad. 221 00:10:29,070 --> 00:10:30,515 -[soldiers marching] -[dramatic music] 222 00:10:30,590 --> 00:10:31,995 History records the former frontier 223 00:10:32,030 --> 00:10:34,875 Descended into chaos and violence, 224 00:10:34,884 --> 00:10:37,522 And at the same time the number of deformed skulls 225 00:10:37,597 --> 00:10:39,642 In the cemetery increased. 226 00:10:40,750 --> 00:10:42,395 Who were they, 227 00:10:42,430 --> 00:10:45,275 And is there a connection between these skulls, 228 00:10:45,310 --> 00:10:48,995 And the turbulent times in which they were buried? 229 00:10:49,070 --> 00:10:51,595 Experts believe a clue can be found 230 00:10:51,630 --> 00:10:54,555 In other similarly shaped skulls. 231 00:10:54,590 --> 00:10:56,715 [matt] this is a phenomenon 232 00:10:56,750 --> 00:10:59,955 That we see across the world and throughout human history. 233 00:11:00,030 --> 00:11:02,475 [dramatic music] 234 00:11:02,510 --> 00:11:04,715 [narrator] matt velasco has spent years 235 00:11:04,750 --> 00:11:07,322 Investigating these mysterious skulls, 236 00:11:08,957 --> 00:11:10,635 And not surprisingly, 237 00:11:10,670 --> 00:11:14,515 He's encountered a host of colorful conspiracy theories 238 00:11:14,590 --> 00:11:17,882 About these strangely shaped ancient remains. 239 00:11:19,790 --> 00:11:21,355 [matt] it's not uncommon to 240 00:11:21,390 --> 00:11:22,995 Hear references to extra-terrestrials 241 00:11:23,070 --> 00:11:26,075 When one encounters an elongated skull. 242 00:11:26,150 --> 00:11:29,915 But, in fact, this is a quintessentially human practice 243 00:11:29,950 --> 00:11:32,762 That we have evidence of throughout our history. 244 00:11:34,564 --> 00:11:37,915 [narrator] forensic analysis of the skeletons from mozs 245 00:11:37,950 --> 00:11:41,475 And other cone shaped skulls from around the world, 246 00:11:41,550 --> 00:11:43,915 Has also established they're not the result 247 00:11:43,950 --> 00:11:45,602 Of a genetic abnormality. 248 00:11:47,630 --> 00:11:49,955 These strangely shaped skulls 249 00:11:50,030 --> 00:11:53,515 Are the product of human intervention. 250 00:11:53,550 --> 00:11:55,795 Ridges on the skulls of the people from mozs 251 00:11:55,870 --> 00:11:58,795 Suggest their heads been tightly wrapped 252 00:11:58,830 --> 00:12:00,522 And deliberately deformed. 253 00:12:01,710 --> 00:12:03,035 More disturbingly, 254 00:12:03,070 --> 00:12:04,715 This had to have been started 255 00:12:04,724 --> 00:12:07,435 When these individuals were babies. 256 00:12:07,470 --> 00:12:10,002 [dramatic music] 257 00:12:10,077 --> 00:12:11,915 [matt] head-shaping must happen 258 00:12:11,950 --> 00:12:14,515 During a critical window in infancy, 259 00:12:14,590 --> 00:12:17,195 When the bones of the skull have not yet fused, 260 00:12:17,204 --> 00:12:20,042 And are quite malleable and can be reshaped. 261 00:12:21,524 --> 00:12:24,882 An elongated head would have been achieved 262 00:12:24,957 --> 00:12:29,195 Through the binding of the skull around the circumference, 263 00:12:29,204 --> 00:12:31,755 Using cloth bandages, for example, 264 00:12:31,790 --> 00:12:35,322 Or textile bands that were wrapped around the skull. 265 00:12:37,190 --> 00:12:39,035 [narrator] the tightly wrapped bindings slowly 266 00:12:39,070 --> 00:12:42,795 Squeeze and elongate the malleable infant skull. 267 00:12:42,830 --> 00:12:45,675 When it finally fuses at around three years of age, 268 00:12:45,710 --> 00:12:48,882 The head shape is permanently fixed. 269 00:12:48,957 --> 00:12:52,242 To modern eyes, the end result may be unsettling, 270 00:12:52,317 --> 00:12:55,315 But to the people who practiced cranial modification, 271 00:12:55,390 --> 00:12:59,115 An elongated skull was clearly a desirable feature. 272 00:12:59,190 --> 00:13:01,035 [eerie music] 273 00:13:01,070 --> 00:13:04,675 This was seen as a normal, beautiful practice, 274 00:13:04,750 --> 00:13:07,882 And nothing like a deformity as we would see one today. 275 00:13:09,550 --> 00:13:11,595 [narrator] and remarkably, there appears to have been 276 00:13:11,670 --> 00:13:14,875 No adverse effect on the child's development. 277 00:13:14,910 --> 00:13:16,635 [matt] while it may have been bothersome for 278 00:13:16,710 --> 00:13:18,155 A squirming child, 279 00:13:18,190 --> 00:13:21,915 It probably didn't significantly, if at all, 280 00:13:21,950 --> 00:13:25,155 Influence their likelihood of survival. 281 00:13:25,230 --> 00:13:26,875 [narrator] skull shaping has been found 282 00:13:26,884 --> 00:13:29,835 Around the globe and throughout history. 283 00:13:29,870 --> 00:13:32,155 People separated by thousands of miles 284 00:13:32,190 --> 00:13:36,795 And thousands of years created identical looking skulls. 285 00:13:36,830 --> 00:13:39,362 The question is why? 286 00:13:39,437 --> 00:13:42,875 What connects these distant societies? 287 00:13:42,910 --> 00:13:44,955 What compelled people like those in mozs 288 00:13:44,990 --> 00:13:48,042 To take such a drastic irreversible step? 289 00:13:49,790 --> 00:13:51,842 A clue lies far from the windswept plains 290 00:13:51,917 --> 00:13:53,842 Of eastern europe, 291 00:13:53,917 --> 00:13:57,955 In the soaring peaks and secret canyons of south america. 292 00:13:58,030 --> 00:13:59,522 [matt] in the andean highlands, 293 00:13:59,597 --> 00:14:01,675 We have found large burial sites 294 00:14:01,710 --> 00:14:03,515 With hundreds of individuals 295 00:14:03,524 --> 00:14:05,882 That show evidence of this modification. 296 00:14:07,230 --> 00:14:08,875 [narrator] in peru's colca valley, 297 00:14:08,884 --> 00:14:11,035 Inside stone-built tombs, 298 00:14:11,044 --> 00:14:15,955 Velasco and his colleagues have identified 213 skeletons. 299 00:14:16,030 --> 00:14:18,002 Each of them has a modified skull 300 00:14:18,077 --> 00:14:20,475 Similar to those in hungary. 301 00:14:20,510 --> 00:14:23,515 And despite being buried 700 years apart, 302 00:14:23,524 --> 00:14:25,435 Both the people of the colca valley 303 00:14:25,470 --> 00:14:30,675 And mozs were buried during violent and uncertain times. 304 00:14:30,750 --> 00:14:32,875 [matt] the skeletons I study date to around 305 00:14:32,910 --> 00:14:36,882 1100 ad to 1450 ad. 306 00:14:36,957 --> 00:14:38,722 This is a time period where we see 307 00:14:38,797 --> 00:14:40,635 A lot of evidence of violence, 308 00:14:40,710 --> 00:14:43,595 As people move to hilltop fortifications 309 00:14:43,670 --> 00:14:47,522 To defend their agricultural resources and their families. 310 00:14:47,597 --> 00:14:50,242 -[people shouting] -[gentle music] 311 00:14:50,317 --> 00:14:52,882 [narrator] this descent into warfare and tribal violence 312 00:14:52,957 --> 00:14:56,115 Followed the collapse of two powerful empires. 313 00:14:56,190 --> 00:14:57,475 [people shouting] 314 00:14:57,550 --> 00:14:59,042 [matt] we see evidence of 315 00:14:59,117 --> 00:15:00,635 Social and political fragmentation 316 00:15:00,670 --> 00:15:04,315 In the vacuum left by the collapse of the larger 317 00:15:04,350 --> 00:15:07,955 State society that organized economy, trade, 318 00:15:08,030 --> 00:15:10,835 And other aspects of social life. 319 00:15:10,910 --> 00:15:12,675 [narrator] velasco believes there's a connection 320 00:15:12,750 --> 00:15:15,115 Between this collapse and violence, 321 00:15:15,150 --> 00:15:18,235 And the modified skulls found in the valley. 322 00:15:18,270 --> 00:15:20,635 Because as the violence increased, 323 00:15:20,670 --> 00:15:22,642 So did the practice of head-shaping. 324 00:15:23,757 --> 00:15:24,955 [matt] in the earliest tombs, 325 00:15:24,990 --> 00:15:28,715 Those dating before 1300 ad, 326 00:15:28,724 --> 00:15:32,402 Around 35 to 40% of individuals had evidence 327 00:15:32,477 --> 00:15:34,635 Of artificial cranial modification. 328 00:15:34,670 --> 00:15:36,882 But after 1300 ad, 329 00:15:36,957 --> 00:15:39,682 That number increases dramatically. 330 00:15:39,757 --> 00:15:42,075 A full three-fourths of the population 331 00:15:42,150 --> 00:15:43,995 Buried in these above ground tombs, 332 00:15:44,004 --> 00:15:45,915 Now shows evidence of the practice. 333 00:15:45,950 --> 00:15:47,355 [dramatic music] 334 00:15:47,390 --> 00:15:48,875 [narrator] the people of the colca valley 335 00:15:48,910 --> 00:15:50,882 Responded to violent instability, 336 00:15:50,957 --> 00:15:52,922 By shaping their infants' heads. 337 00:15:54,957 --> 00:15:56,635 It's evidence that suggests 338 00:15:56,710 --> 00:15:58,875 An increase in head shaping could occur 339 00:15:58,910 --> 00:16:03,195 During times of stress, hardship, and uncertainty. 340 00:16:03,230 --> 00:16:06,075 So is that what was happening in mozs? 341 00:16:06,110 --> 00:16:08,835 Because just like the people of the colca valley, 342 00:16:08,910 --> 00:16:10,875 The inhabitants of mozs experienced 343 00:16:10,910 --> 00:16:12,882 The collapse of a ruling empire 344 00:16:12,957 --> 00:16:15,042 And the descent into chaos. 345 00:16:15,117 --> 00:16:17,115 -[people shouting] -[dramatic music] 346 00:16:17,150 --> 00:16:19,275 [darius] in the 5th century along the borders, 347 00:16:19,350 --> 00:16:24,155 That large infrastructure that provided a feeling of safety, 348 00:16:24,190 --> 00:16:26,955 That network and that government and the military, 349 00:16:27,030 --> 00:16:30,475 Is not able to do the job that it once did. 350 00:16:30,550 --> 00:16:32,395 [people shouting] 351 00:16:32,404 --> 00:16:34,155 It would have given you a real sense of uncertainty 352 00:16:34,190 --> 00:16:35,995 As to what's happening next, 353 00:16:36,004 --> 00:16:39,915 And what's going to happen in the roman empire. 354 00:16:39,950 --> 00:16:41,522 [narrator] but despite the chaos, 355 00:16:41,597 --> 00:16:44,955 The bodies from mozs show no evidence of injury. 356 00:16:44,990 --> 00:16:47,355 So who were they? 357 00:16:47,390 --> 00:16:50,722 Were they locals from inside the former empire, 358 00:16:50,797 --> 00:16:53,035 Or invaders from beyond the frontier? 359 00:16:53,044 --> 00:16:55,202 [dramatic music] 360 00:16:55,277 --> 00:16:57,915 Now groundbreaking forensic analysis 361 00:16:57,950 --> 00:17:01,242 Is unlocking the answers hidden deep inside their bones. 362 00:17:02,004 --> 00:17:03,515 These, along with teeth, 363 00:17:03,550 --> 00:17:05,795 Contain a record of what we eat and drink 364 00:17:05,870 --> 00:17:08,315 While our bodies are growing. 365 00:17:08,350 --> 00:17:10,995 Using this, archaeologists can identify 366 00:17:11,070 --> 00:17:14,075 What an individual ate during their childhood 367 00:17:14,110 --> 00:17:15,802 And where they ate it. 368 00:17:17,310 --> 00:17:18,875 So during the project, 369 00:17:18,910 --> 00:17:22,475 We conducted different isotopic analysis. 370 00:17:22,510 --> 00:17:24,875 This information is extracted from the teeth, 371 00:17:24,910 --> 00:17:27,275 And occasionally we are also taking samples 372 00:17:27,310 --> 00:17:29,202 From certain bones, like ribs 373 00:17:29,277 --> 00:17:32,042 Or sometimes small parts of the long bones as well. 374 00:17:33,310 --> 00:17:35,035 [narrator] as plants grow in soil, 375 00:17:35,070 --> 00:17:38,322 They pick up the unique chemical fingerprint of that region. 376 00:17:39,350 --> 00:17:41,115 When humans eat these plants, 377 00:17:41,150 --> 00:17:43,515 These chemicals replace some of the calcium 378 00:17:43,524 --> 00:17:45,162 In their teeth and bones. 379 00:17:46,910 --> 00:17:48,715 For the bodies from mozs, 380 00:17:48,750 --> 00:17:51,915 One chemical in particular proves critical. 381 00:17:51,950 --> 00:17:53,275 Strontium. 382 00:17:53,350 --> 00:17:54,875 It's an element that's composition 383 00:17:54,884 --> 00:17:58,875 And distribution varies widely in nature. 384 00:17:58,884 --> 00:18:01,835 This geographical variation allows archaeologists 385 00:18:01,870 --> 00:18:05,995 To identify which people in the cemetery were raised locally 386 00:18:06,030 --> 00:18:07,835 And which weren't. 387 00:18:07,870 --> 00:18:09,835 Strontium is really like a fingerprint 388 00:18:09,870 --> 00:18:11,675 Of a geographical area. 389 00:18:11,710 --> 00:18:13,202 [gentle music] 390 00:18:13,277 --> 00:18:14,875 [narrator] the strontium analysis reveals 391 00:18:14,884 --> 00:18:18,882 That in the earliest burials dated to around 430 ad, 392 00:18:18,957 --> 00:18:21,042 All the people were local 393 00:18:21,117 --> 00:18:23,675 And all had normal shaped skulls. 394 00:18:23,684 --> 00:18:26,115 [dramatic music] 395 00:18:26,190 --> 00:18:30,475 But during the following decade this pattern changes. 396 00:18:30,510 --> 00:18:32,635 Most of the people buried in this phase 397 00:18:32,670 --> 00:18:34,402 Were local, as expected. 398 00:18:35,710 --> 00:18:37,275 But 12 weren't. 399 00:18:37,350 --> 00:18:38,875 They were outsiders, 400 00:18:38,910 --> 00:18:41,882 And 10 of these had elongated skulls. 401 00:18:43,150 --> 00:18:44,875 And further analysis reveals 402 00:18:44,910 --> 00:18:47,835 They all shared the same diet. 403 00:18:47,870 --> 00:18:49,682 [istvan] that suggests they probably 404 00:18:49,757 --> 00:18:52,482 Came from the same place and moved together. 405 00:18:54,270 --> 00:18:55,915 [narrator] a decade after the first burials 406 00:18:55,950 --> 00:18:57,315 In the cemetery, 407 00:18:57,390 --> 00:18:59,915 A group of strangers arrived in mozs. 408 00:18:59,950 --> 00:19:01,595 Twelve died there. 409 00:19:01,670 --> 00:19:04,795 Ten of them with elongated skulls. 410 00:19:04,870 --> 00:19:08,795 They came from outside the crumbling roman empire, 411 00:19:08,830 --> 00:19:11,795 And their strange appearance matches roman descriptions 412 00:19:11,870 --> 00:19:15,595 Of monstrous invaders who overran the civilized world, 413 00:19:15,630 --> 00:19:17,195 -[dramatic music] -[people shouting] 414 00:19:17,230 --> 00:19:21,915 Marauding savages from the uncivilized east. 415 00:19:21,950 --> 00:19:26,235 [hannah-marie] the vandals, the goths, the huns, 416 00:19:26,270 --> 00:19:29,515 Many of these names have outlasted the roman empire 417 00:19:29,550 --> 00:19:31,835 And still resonate with us today. 418 00:19:31,844 --> 00:19:33,275 [suspenseful music] 419 00:19:33,350 --> 00:19:35,275 [narrator] archaeologists have found dozens 420 00:19:35,310 --> 00:19:36,715 Of other cone-shaped skulls 421 00:19:36,724 --> 00:19:39,202 Across the empire's former eastern edge. 422 00:19:39,277 --> 00:19:41,635 Suggesting people with elongated skulls 423 00:19:41,710 --> 00:19:43,842 Were infiltrating the region, 424 00:19:43,917 --> 00:19:44,875 -[suspenseful music] -[horse whinnying] 425 00:19:44,910 --> 00:19:47,635 And not just any people. 426 00:19:47,710 --> 00:19:50,715 Because now startling new scientific evidence 427 00:19:50,750 --> 00:19:53,042 Links these people to the most terrifying 428 00:19:53,117 --> 00:19:56,235 Of all rome's enemies, 429 00:19:56,270 --> 00:19:59,835 And one of the most infamous tribes in history. 430 00:19:59,844 --> 00:20:02,882 [suspenseful music] 431 00:20:04,030 --> 00:20:05,995 [dramatic music] 432 00:20:06,004 --> 00:20:09,115 Fifty-one bodies buried in a small cemetery 433 00:20:09,190 --> 00:20:11,362 On the edge of the crumbling roman empire. 434 00:20:13,390 --> 00:20:16,882 Each with a deliberately modified, elongated head. 435 00:20:18,750 --> 00:20:22,835 Scientific analysis identifies 10 of them as outsiders 436 00:20:22,910 --> 00:20:25,362 From beyond the roman empire's former frontier. 437 00:20:25,437 --> 00:20:26,675 [people clamoring] 438 00:20:26,750 --> 00:20:29,675 And this wasn't a freak occurrence. 439 00:20:29,710 --> 00:20:31,275 In recent years archaeologists 440 00:20:31,310 --> 00:20:33,155 Have unearthed dozens of skulls 441 00:20:33,230 --> 00:20:36,715 Along what was once the eastern edge of the roman empire. 442 00:20:36,724 --> 00:20:40,875 All with strikingly similar elongated skulls, 443 00:20:40,884 --> 00:20:43,722 And all dating to the turbulent 5th century. 444 00:20:44,990 --> 00:20:46,795 But with the empire in chaos 445 00:20:46,830 --> 00:20:49,755 And so many tribes pouring across its borders, 446 00:20:49,790 --> 00:20:53,355 Identifying who these people were or where they came from, 447 00:20:53,390 --> 00:20:57,915 Hasn't been possible until now. 448 00:20:57,990 --> 00:21:00,315 [krishna] we find these skulls primarily 449 00:21:00,350 --> 00:21:02,715 In that eastern european area, 450 00:21:02,750 --> 00:21:05,155 Romania, hungary those kind of areas. 451 00:21:05,230 --> 00:21:07,755 And then you see it expanding a little bit out 452 00:21:07,790 --> 00:21:10,955 Towards the west into germany, into France. 453 00:21:10,990 --> 00:21:13,522 [dramatic music] 454 00:21:13,597 --> 00:21:16,355 [narrator] advanced 21st century dna analysis 455 00:21:16,430 --> 00:21:19,522 Has finally allowed geneticist krishna veeramah 456 00:21:19,597 --> 00:21:21,035 To discover the identity 457 00:21:21,070 --> 00:21:24,315 Of these mysterious 5th century outsiders. 458 00:21:24,350 --> 00:21:27,915 We're using the dna that we can get from these individuals 459 00:21:27,950 --> 00:21:30,475 To identify their genetic origins, 460 00:21:30,510 --> 00:21:32,555 And trying to work out where do they come from 461 00:21:32,590 --> 00:21:34,715 If they are not local. 462 00:21:34,750 --> 00:21:36,075 [narrator] among these individuals 463 00:21:36,110 --> 00:21:37,915 Is a small group of bodies found 464 00:21:37,950 --> 00:21:40,195 In altenerding, southern germany 465 00:21:40,270 --> 00:21:43,995 Buried at the same time as the bodies in mozs 466 00:21:44,030 --> 00:21:46,955 With strikingly similar skulls. 467 00:21:47,030 --> 00:21:49,915 So this is an example of three skeletons 468 00:21:49,950 --> 00:21:51,955 That we were able to get dna from. 469 00:21:52,030 --> 00:21:53,355 Furthest to the left, 470 00:21:53,390 --> 00:21:55,915 We have the most extreme cranial deformation 471 00:21:55,990 --> 00:21:57,995 Amongst all those that we had. 472 00:21:58,030 --> 00:21:59,995 You can see a very much larger skull, 473 00:22:00,004 --> 00:22:02,875 And it's kind of flat at the back. 474 00:22:02,910 --> 00:22:05,035 [narrator] this extremely elongated skull 475 00:22:05,070 --> 00:22:06,835 Offers a tantalizing clue 476 00:22:06,910 --> 00:22:10,242 To the origin of the outsiders buried in mozs. 477 00:22:10,317 --> 00:22:11,675 [krishna] the interesting thing about 478 00:22:11,710 --> 00:22:13,842 This particular one on the left was 479 00:22:13,917 --> 00:22:15,915 She had both the most extreme head shape, 480 00:22:15,950 --> 00:22:18,555 But also the most extreme genetic difference 481 00:22:18,590 --> 00:22:20,875 From the local population. 482 00:22:20,884 --> 00:22:23,435 [narrator] her body was found in southern germany, 483 00:22:23,510 --> 00:22:25,115 But her genetic ancestry points 484 00:22:25,190 --> 00:22:28,282 To an origin thousands of miles to the east. 485 00:22:29,917 --> 00:22:31,915 [krishna] her genetic background 486 00:22:31,950 --> 00:22:35,635 Has a clear east asian component to it, 487 00:22:35,710 --> 00:22:39,682 And so she has recent ancestry at least from east asia. 488 00:22:39,757 --> 00:22:42,882 That doesn't mean she is necessarily born in east asia. 489 00:22:42,957 --> 00:22:44,882 But she might have parents that have 490 00:22:44,957 --> 00:22:46,875 A strong east asian ancestry 491 00:22:46,884 --> 00:22:48,922 Maybe going back a few generations. 492 00:22:50,957 --> 00:22:52,475 [narrator] all the other deformed skulls 493 00:22:52,510 --> 00:22:54,955 Veeramah and his team have tested so far, 494 00:22:54,990 --> 00:22:57,082 Show similar exotic origins. 495 00:22:58,724 --> 00:23:00,475 [krishna] this was pretty remarkable. 496 00:23:00,510 --> 00:23:02,795 We didn't expect it to be this clear-cut. 497 00:23:02,830 --> 00:23:06,875 Every deformed skull had a very non-local, 498 00:23:06,910 --> 00:23:09,202 Exotic, essentially, genetic ancestry 499 00:23:09,277 --> 00:23:11,355 That suggests that they probably had moved from 500 00:23:11,390 --> 00:23:16,875 Somewhere in eastern europe or even central asia. 501 00:23:16,910 --> 00:23:18,875 [narrator] the similarity between the skulls studied 502 00:23:18,910 --> 00:23:20,955 By veeramah and the skulls from mozs, 503 00:23:20,990 --> 00:23:25,675 Strongly suggests both share the same origin in the east, 504 00:23:25,710 --> 00:23:28,635 In an area that gave rise to the most notorious 505 00:23:28,670 --> 00:23:32,955 Of all the barbarian tribes, the huns. 506 00:23:32,990 --> 00:23:35,035 [suspenseful music] 507 00:23:35,070 --> 00:23:40,635 [darius] the huns had a massive nomadic army on a horseback, 508 00:23:40,670 --> 00:23:45,915 Originating all the way in mongolia, in western china. 509 00:23:45,950 --> 00:23:48,875 [narrator] but despite their fame or infamy, 510 00:23:48,884 --> 00:23:53,195 Very little is known about who the huns really were. 511 00:23:53,230 --> 00:23:57,115 They had no written language, left no records, 512 00:23:57,150 --> 00:23:58,715 And as nomads they built 513 00:23:58,750 --> 00:24:01,842 No monuments, cities, or settlements. 514 00:24:01,917 --> 00:24:03,835 [hannah-marie] we don't actually know very much 515 00:24:03,870 --> 00:24:05,835 About the huns' way of life. 516 00:24:05,870 --> 00:24:08,355 We don't know what language they spoke, really. 517 00:24:08,430 --> 00:24:10,882 We don't know what religion they had, 518 00:24:10,957 --> 00:24:13,995 What their daily life was like. 519 00:24:14,030 --> 00:24:15,755 [narrator] almost everything historians 520 00:24:15,790 --> 00:24:18,362 Know about the huns is based on roman accounts. 521 00:24:19,844 --> 00:24:23,515 From these, it seems that sometime before 370 ad, 522 00:24:23,550 --> 00:24:25,835 The huns began to move west. 523 00:24:25,844 --> 00:24:28,155 [dramatic music] 524 00:24:28,190 --> 00:24:29,915 [hannah-marie] there is some evidence 525 00:24:29,950 --> 00:24:32,835 That it was the climate of the steppe regions 526 00:24:32,910 --> 00:24:35,195 That forced them to move out of that territory. 527 00:24:35,204 --> 00:24:36,882 The climate was very dry, 528 00:24:36,957 --> 00:24:39,835 And there may have been a drought 529 00:24:39,870 --> 00:24:41,435 Which led to famine. 530 00:24:41,510 --> 00:24:43,675 [dramatic music] 531 00:24:43,710 --> 00:24:45,475 [narrator] when the huns left their homeland, 532 00:24:45,550 --> 00:24:47,355 It triggered a chain of events that would lead 533 00:24:47,390 --> 00:24:51,035 From the plains of asia to the heart of rome. 534 00:24:51,070 --> 00:24:52,475 [darius] the huns are really seen 535 00:24:52,510 --> 00:24:55,915 As being historically grand disrupters. 536 00:24:55,950 --> 00:24:57,515 As they push west, 537 00:24:57,550 --> 00:24:58,882 They're going to be displacing people, 538 00:24:58,957 --> 00:25:01,042 Famously, the goths. 539 00:25:01,117 --> 00:25:02,875 The goths who were living there 540 00:25:02,910 --> 00:25:05,842 Then moved out into vandal territory, 541 00:25:05,917 --> 00:25:09,362 Which caused the vandals to migrate as well. 542 00:25:09,437 --> 00:25:11,955 So it's the huns that are pushing the goths, 543 00:25:12,030 --> 00:25:13,675 That are then pushing into the empire 544 00:25:13,684 --> 00:25:15,042 Like a big domino effect. 545 00:25:15,117 --> 00:25:16,715 -[dramatic music] -[people shouting] 546 00:25:16,724 --> 00:25:19,275 [narrator] as the huns rampaged across the roman empire, 547 00:25:19,310 --> 00:25:23,842 They were led by a leader whose name still resonates today. 548 00:25:23,917 --> 00:25:25,675 [hannah-marie] ask anyone about the huns, 549 00:25:25,710 --> 00:25:28,442 And they will undoubtedly tell you the name attila. 550 00:25:29,790 --> 00:25:30,875 [narrator] attila led the huns 551 00:25:30,910 --> 00:25:32,875 During the early 5th century. 552 00:25:32,910 --> 00:25:34,402 At the same time as the people 553 00:25:34,477 --> 00:25:37,275 With elongated skulls were buried in mozs 554 00:25:37,310 --> 00:25:40,795 And across the eastern edge of the empire. 555 00:25:40,870 --> 00:25:42,882 [darius] his leadership skills are legendary. 556 00:25:42,957 --> 00:25:46,355 Taking this kind of dispersive, nomadic tribe, 557 00:25:46,430 --> 00:25:48,475 Putting them all together into an incredible army, 558 00:25:48,510 --> 00:25:50,882 Unstoppable army. 559 00:25:50,957 --> 00:25:52,882 [hannah-marie] he's remembered as being 560 00:25:52,957 --> 00:25:55,915 A particularly ferocious military general 561 00:25:55,950 --> 00:25:58,562 Who infamously invaded the balkans 562 00:25:58,637 --> 00:26:00,795 And then attacked Italy 563 00:26:00,830 --> 00:26:03,842 And caused the decline and fall of the roman empire. 564 00:26:05,310 --> 00:26:06,875 [narrator] there are few contemporary records 565 00:26:06,910 --> 00:26:08,475 Of the huns. 566 00:26:08,510 --> 00:26:11,675 But there is one tantalizing description of attila 567 00:26:11,710 --> 00:26:15,355 Written within a 100 years of the empire's collapse. 568 00:26:15,364 --> 00:26:16,875 [darius] we don't have many ancient sources 569 00:26:16,910 --> 00:26:18,795 That tell us about the huns. 570 00:26:18,830 --> 00:26:20,242 One exception to this 571 00:26:20,317 --> 00:26:21,675 Is a precious document 572 00:26:21,710 --> 00:26:23,835 From jordanes in the 6th century, 573 00:26:23,870 --> 00:26:25,275 And in that account, 574 00:26:25,310 --> 00:26:27,595 He talks specifically of attila the hun, 575 00:26:27,670 --> 00:26:29,915 "as a man who was born into the world 576 00:26:29,950 --> 00:26:34,242 To shake the nations as a scourge of all the lands," 577 00:26:34,317 --> 00:26:38,675 And he says that this was a man who was a lover of war. 578 00:26:38,750 --> 00:26:42,075 [narrator] this account also describes attila's features, 579 00:26:42,150 --> 00:26:44,115 Including his head. 580 00:26:44,190 --> 00:26:46,635 [darius] he describes him as short in stature, 581 00:26:46,670 --> 00:26:50,955 Broad of chest, a large head, and small eyes. 582 00:26:50,990 --> 00:26:53,755 So that's our physical description that we have 583 00:26:53,790 --> 00:26:55,042 Anywhere 584 00:26:55,117 --> 00:26:59,682 About what attila the hun actually looked like. 585 00:26:59,757 --> 00:27:02,995 [narrator] with large heads like attila himself 586 00:27:03,070 --> 00:27:06,235 And possible origins in central or east asia, 587 00:27:06,270 --> 00:27:08,875 It seems the outsiders buried in the cemetery 588 00:27:08,910 --> 00:27:11,595 At mozs weren't simply barbarians. 589 00:27:11,630 --> 00:27:14,075 They may have been huns, the most infamous, 590 00:27:14,110 --> 00:27:18,195 And most feared of all the invading tribes, 591 00:27:18,270 --> 00:27:19,835 And what started as a trickle, 592 00:27:19,844 --> 00:27:22,235 With the arrival of 12 outsiders, 593 00:27:22,270 --> 00:27:23,995 Soon became a flood. 594 00:27:24,030 --> 00:27:25,835 [dramatic music] 595 00:27:25,844 --> 00:27:28,075 As the influence of rome faded, 596 00:27:28,110 --> 00:27:30,355 The number of deliberately shaped skulls 597 00:27:30,430 --> 00:27:33,315 In the cemetery at mozs soared, 598 00:27:33,390 --> 00:27:36,715 From zero in the first generation of burials 599 00:27:36,724 --> 00:27:39,522 To the majority just a few decades later. 600 00:27:39,597 --> 00:27:41,515 [dramatic music] 601 00:27:41,524 --> 00:27:43,355 But when archaeologists turn their attention 602 00:27:43,390 --> 00:27:45,842 To the cemetery's later phase, 603 00:27:45,917 --> 00:27:48,042 They discover something puzzling. 604 00:27:49,670 --> 00:27:52,115 Not all of the people with cone-shaped heads 605 00:27:52,190 --> 00:27:54,475 Were outsiders. 606 00:27:54,550 --> 00:27:55,915 As time passed, 607 00:27:55,950 --> 00:27:59,915 An increasing number were locals. 608 00:27:59,950 --> 00:28:02,235 [hannah-marie] we have evidence of people buried 609 00:28:02,270 --> 00:28:04,235 In brick-lined graves, 610 00:28:04,270 --> 00:28:05,835 Which was a roman custom. 611 00:28:05,870 --> 00:28:07,315 But some of these skeletons 612 00:28:07,390 --> 00:28:10,075 Show evidence of cranial modification, 613 00:28:10,110 --> 00:28:11,675 Which was something that was supposedly 614 00:28:11,684 --> 00:28:14,795 Brought into the region by the huns. 615 00:28:14,870 --> 00:28:16,395 [narrator] the evidence suggests 616 00:28:16,430 --> 00:28:19,842 There was something strange going on in mozs. 617 00:28:19,917 --> 00:28:24,235 The locals, people who may have lived as roman citizens, 618 00:28:24,270 --> 00:28:26,075 Copied a tradition belonging to 619 00:28:26,110 --> 00:28:28,875 An entirely different civilization, 620 00:28:28,910 --> 00:28:30,242 And in doing so, 621 00:28:30,317 --> 00:28:31,635 They allied their children 622 00:28:31,710 --> 00:28:34,355 With rome's mortal enemies. 623 00:28:34,430 --> 00:28:35,835 Why? 624 00:28:35,870 --> 00:28:37,882 What was it they stood to gain? 625 00:28:39,870 --> 00:28:42,235 -[dramatic music] -[people shouting] 626 00:28:42,244 --> 00:28:45,755 The huns, the most notorious of all the tribes 627 00:28:45,790 --> 00:28:47,995 To invade the roman empire. 628 00:28:48,004 --> 00:28:52,875 Today the word hun strikes fear into people's hearts. 629 00:28:52,910 --> 00:28:56,875 They are remembered as being particularly ferocious warriors 630 00:28:56,884 --> 00:29:02,395 Responsible for the decline and fall of the roman empire. 631 00:29:02,430 --> 00:29:05,042 [narrator] ground-breaking archaeological investigation, 632 00:29:05,117 --> 00:29:07,475 And the latest dna analysis, 633 00:29:07,550 --> 00:29:09,595 Suggests these nomadic warriors 634 00:29:09,670 --> 00:29:13,202 Proclaimed their identity in the most extreme way possible. 635 00:29:14,910 --> 00:29:16,795 They deliberately and irreversibly, 636 00:29:16,870 --> 00:29:19,635 Shaped their children's heads. 637 00:29:19,710 --> 00:29:21,595 [matt] cranial modification would have been 638 00:29:21,630 --> 00:29:24,875 A very strong marker of their shared identity. 639 00:29:24,910 --> 00:29:29,675 We are literally the same people of the same origin, 640 00:29:29,710 --> 00:29:32,875 And that social identity would have been 641 00:29:32,910 --> 00:29:34,875 Written into their bodies. 642 00:29:34,910 --> 00:29:36,355 -[crickets chirping] -[dramatic music] 643 00:29:36,430 --> 00:29:37,915 [narrator] with countless different tribes 644 00:29:37,950 --> 00:29:40,635 And groups moving through the crumbling empire, 645 00:29:40,670 --> 00:29:43,842 All fighting for power and resources, 646 00:29:43,917 --> 00:29:45,915 A distinctive head would have made it possible 647 00:29:45,950 --> 00:29:50,235 To instantly distinguish friend from foe, 648 00:29:50,270 --> 00:29:54,155 And for the huns in particular this was crucial. 649 00:29:54,190 --> 00:29:58,075 The huns themselves were not a single group. 650 00:29:58,150 --> 00:30:01,515 [krishna] they were multiple, complex societies. 651 00:30:01,550 --> 00:30:02,875 They probably may have moved, 652 00:30:02,884 --> 00:30:05,155 And then added other groups in, 653 00:30:05,230 --> 00:30:07,515 And formed these amalgamations over time. 654 00:30:07,550 --> 00:30:09,155 -[dramatic music] -[people shouting] 655 00:30:09,230 --> 00:30:11,155 [narrator] under the charismatic leadership of attila, 656 00:30:11,230 --> 00:30:14,242 The huns absorbed many of the tribes they encountered 657 00:30:14,317 --> 00:30:16,235 On their journey from the east. 658 00:30:16,270 --> 00:30:18,515 [hannah-marie] we think that their allegiance was political 659 00:30:18,590 --> 00:30:19,915 Rather than racial. 660 00:30:19,950 --> 00:30:21,675 So people who were part of a really 661 00:30:21,710 --> 00:30:23,915 Broad diverse group like the huns, 662 00:30:23,950 --> 00:30:27,195 Might have chosen to adopt cranial modification 663 00:30:27,230 --> 00:30:29,282 As a means of identifying themselves. 664 00:30:31,437 --> 00:30:33,362 [narrator] but now analysis of the bodies 665 00:30:33,437 --> 00:30:36,315 Discovered in the 5th century cemetery in mozs, 666 00:30:36,350 --> 00:30:38,715 Suggests the invaders were more diverse 667 00:30:38,750 --> 00:30:41,515 Than historians ever imagined. 668 00:30:41,524 --> 00:30:45,955 Grave 86 is a burial of a young, probably, girl, 669 00:30:46,030 --> 00:30:48,795 Based on her grave goods. 670 00:30:48,830 --> 00:30:51,002 She also had a deformed skull. 671 00:30:52,990 --> 00:30:54,395 [narrator] the girl's cone-shaped skull 672 00:30:54,430 --> 00:30:57,315 Suggests she could be a hun. 673 00:30:57,390 --> 00:31:00,635 But her grave goods are distinctly roman. 674 00:31:00,670 --> 00:31:03,475 [istvan] she was buried with an earring, 675 00:31:03,550 --> 00:31:05,682 And this is a type that's distributed 676 00:31:05,757 --> 00:31:07,675 All over the mediterranean. 677 00:31:07,710 --> 00:31:11,275 This is definitely a late roman form of jewelry. 678 00:31:11,310 --> 00:31:13,155 [gentle music] 679 00:31:13,230 --> 00:31:15,915 [narrator] in keeping with her roman-style grave goods, 680 00:31:15,950 --> 00:31:19,755 Strontium analysis reveals she was born and raised locally, 681 00:31:19,790 --> 00:31:23,562 Along with many of the later burials with modified skulls. 682 00:31:25,437 --> 00:31:27,595 [hannah-marie] finding locally born children 683 00:31:27,630 --> 00:31:29,915 With evidence of cranial modifications, 684 00:31:29,950 --> 00:31:33,042 Suggests that the late roman community living here 685 00:31:33,117 --> 00:31:34,882 Might have taken the decision 686 00:31:34,957 --> 00:31:37,195 To shape their children's skulls 687 00:31:37,230 --> 00:31:40,075 In order to align them with the culture 688 00:31:40,110 --> 00:31:42,875 That had moved into that territory. 689 00:31:42,884 --> 00:31:45,355 [narrator] the increase in elongated skulls in mozs 690 00:31:45,390 --> 00:31:47,915 Wasn't simply the result of evermore huns 691 00:31:47,950 --> 00:31:50,075 Pouring across the border. 692 00:31:50,110 --> 00:31:52,955 Instead, it was because an increasing number 693 00:31:52,990 --> 00:31:56,402 Of locally-born people also had deformed skulls. 694 00:31:57,437 --> 00:31:59,082 And not just in mozs. 695 00:32:00,830 --> 00:32:02,875 [istvan] it's definitely not unique to mozs. 696 00:32:02,910 --> 00:32:06,002 It's probably happened all over the roman empire. 697 00:32:07,670 --> 00:32:09,035 [narrator] why would the locals, 698 00:32:09,044 --> 00:32:11,115 In former roman settlements like mozs, 699 00:32:11,150 --> 00:32:12,795 Subject their children to such 700 00:32:12,870 --> 00:32:15,515 An extreme irreversible ordeal? 701 00:32:15,550 --> 00:32:18,162 Why would they align them with the huns? 702 00:32:19,524 --> 00:32:21,842 A new scientific investigation suggests 703 00:32:21,917 --> 00:32:23,682 The answer may have been as simple 704 00:32:23,757 --> 00:32:25,882 And fundamental as food. 705 00:32:27,790 --> 00:32:30,195 Because the study reveals there was a big difference 706 00:32:30,270 --> 00:32:35,915 Between the local roman diet and that of the huns. 707 00:32:35,950 --> 00:32:38,235 [hannah-marie] isotopic analysis suggests 708 00:32:38,270 --> 00:32:40,315 That the hunnic diet was rich 709 00:32:40,350 --> 00:32:44,242 In meat and fish and fast-growing millet, 710 00:32:44,317 --> 00:32:48,675 And that the roman diet was predominantly grains 711 00:32:48,750 --> 00:32:50,682 And much more narrow. 712 00:32:52,797 --> 00:32:54,515 [narrator] the huns' meat-rich diet 713 00:32:54,590 --> 00:32:57,315 Matches an account of life at the court of attila, 714 00:32:57,390 --> 00:32:58,955 Written by a roman diplomat, 715 00:32:58,990 --> 00:33:01,355 Who visited the fearsome warlord's camp, 716 00:33:01,390 --> 00:33:05,795 Somewhere in hungary in around 448 ad. 717 00:33:05,870 --> 00:33:08,002 [hannah-marie] the roman historian, priscus, 718 00:33:08,077 --> 00:33:09,515 Gives us an account 719 00:33:09,550 --> 00:33:12,002 Of his visit to attila's residence 720 00:33:12,077 --> 00:33:15,595 And a luxurious banquet of meat 721 00:33:15,670 --> 00:33:19,115 Presented to them on silver plates. 722 00:33:19,150 --> 00:33:23,115 This account suggests that the hunnic lifestyle 723 00:33:23,190 --> 00:33:26,715 May not have been as unattractive 724 00:33:26,724 --> 00:33:30,875 As many of our other accounts make out. 725 00:33:30,884 --> 00:33:33,515 [narrator] the huns' more varied, more nutritious diet, 726 00:33:33,524 --> 00:33:36,882 May help to explain why the people on the edge of empire 727 00:33:36,957 --> 00:33:40,995 Chose to join forces with rome's enemies. 728 00:33:41,070 --> 00:33:42,882 [hannah-marie] this late roman community, 729 00:33:42,957 --> 00:33:46,715 Living on the edges of the empire, a very unstable place, 730 00:33:46,724 --> 00:33:50,955 Might have been attracted to align themselves with the huns 731 00:33:50,990 --> 00:33:52,875 Because of their better diet 732 00:33:52,884 --> 00:33:55,522 And a potentially more secure lifestyle. 733 00:33:57,230 --> 00:33:59,915 [narrator] the incentive could not have been greater, 734 00:33:59,950 --> 00:34:01,835 Because the prize was nothing less 735 00:34:01,844 --> 00:34:04,355 Than their children's survival. 736 00:34:04,430 --> 00:34:07,795 One of the reasons we see it at such high frequencies 737 00:34:07,870 --> 00:34:09,995 During these periods of social strife, 738 00:34:10,004 --> 00:34:13,835 Is because marking oneself vis-a-vis the other 739 00:34:13,870 --> 00:34:15,755 Is of crucial importance. 740 00:34:15,790 --> 00:34:18,635 It's the difference between life and death, potentially. 741 00:34:18,670 --> 00:34:20,235 [dramatic music] 742 00:34:20,270 --> 00:34:22,875 A child with cranial modification, 743 00:34:22,910 --> 00:34:25,682 May have had access to particular resources, 744 00:34:25,757 --> 00:34:29,115 Or may have enjoyed certain social benefits, 745 00:34:29,150 --> 00:34:32,475 That other individuals without a reshaped head 746 00:34:32,510 --> 00:34:33,882 Would not have had access to. 747 00:34:34,957 --> 00:34:36,875 And, ultimately, this can lead 748 00:34:36,910 --> 00:34:39,115 To increased chances of survival. 749 00:34:39,150 --> 00:34:40,875 [dramatic music] 750 00:34:40,884 --> 00:34:42,475 [narrator] and a better diet wasn't the only thing 751 00:34:42,550 --> 00:34:43,995 The huns had to offer the people 752 00:34:44,004 --> 00:34:45,915 On the frontline of the empire. 753 00:34:45,950 --> 00:34:47,635 [darius] number one, they're apparently 754 00:34:47,710 --> 00:34:49,915 Very successful in warfare. 755 00:34:49,950 --> 00:34:52,475 Number two, they don't seem to be going anywhere, 756 00:34:52,510 --> 00:34:55,522 And number three, them being that new power base, 757 00:34:55,597 --> 00:34:57,995 It would make more sense with the passing of time, 758 00:34:58,030 --> 00:35:01,835 To align yourself and your own interests with those people 759 00:35:01,870 --> 00:35:06,675 Versus the powers of rome that are so at this point far off. 760 00:35:06,750 --> 00:35:08,875 [narrator] this, could be why the people of mozs 761 00:35:08,910 --> 00:35:12,402 Saw the need to align themselves with the huns. 762 00:35:12,477 --> 00:35:15,362 They chose the winners over the losers, 763 00:35:15,437 --> 00:35:17,842 Food over hunger, 764 00:35:17,917 --> 00:35:19,915 And they elongated their children's skulls 765 00:35:19,950 --> 00:35:22,315 To cement this relationship, 766 00:35:22,350 --> 00:35:26,555 And ensure their survival in this most turbulent of times. 767 00:35:26,590 --> 00:35:28,875 Modifying the head of a child was a way 768 00:35:28,910 --> 00:35:31,835 Of permanently inscribing on their body, 769 00:35:31,870 --> 00:35:33,682 A form of privilege. 770 00:35:33,757 --> 00:35:35,195 [narrator] for the huns 771 00:35:35,204 --> 00:35:36,875 And the locals who lived alongside them, 772 00:35:36,884 --> 00:35:40,882 An elongated head was more than a mark of identity. 773 00:35:40,957 --> 00:35:46,722 It was a passport to a better, potentially longer life. 774 00:35:46,797 --> 00:35:48,155 [istvan] the skulls of these children 775 00:35:48,190 --> 00:35:50,075 Tell us that as parents, 776 00:35:50,110 --> 00:35:52,235 We would do anything to our children 777 00:35:52,270 --> 00:35:54,555 To provide them a better future. 778 00:35:54,590 --> 00:35:55,955 [dramatic music] 779 00:35:56,030 --> 00:35:57,835 [narrator] from this small cemetery 780 00:35:57,870 --> 00:36:00,235 On the farthest edge of the roman empire, 781 00:36:00,270 --> 00:36:03,595 A previously untold story is emerging 782 00:36:03,630 --> 00:36:06,235 Of the huns, not as brutal savages, 783 00:36:06,270 --> 00:36:09,242 But as people to be admired and emulated. 784 00:36:11,150 --> 00:36:13,362 This sort of evidence does suggest then 785 00:36:13,437 --> 00:36:15,995 That the simplistic view of in come the invaders 786 00:36:16,030 --> 00:36:19,035 Into the empire and go in conquest and move on 787 00:36:19,070 --> 00:36:21,842 Is actually much more nuanced. 788 00:36:21,917 --> 00:36:24,355 [narrator] it seems that at least in mozs, 789 00:36:24,430 --> 00:36:27,515 The bad guys weren't so bad after all. 790 00:36:27,550 --> 00:36:30,002 They were immigrants, not invaders. 791 00:36:30,077 --> 00:36:32,715 Settlers, not nomads. 792 00:36:32,750 --> 00:36:35,435 [darius] we can now go back and reassess what we've learned, 793 00:36:35,470 --> 00:36:38,075 Maybe unlearn it, and have a more 794 00:36:38,150 --> 00:36:40,602 Sophisticated view of the huns. 795 00:36:42,430 --> 00:36:43,915 [narrator] it's clear something strange 796 00:36:43,950 --> 00:36:47,955 Was happening on the empire's former frontier. 797 00:36:48,030 --> 00:36:51,682 Something that conflicts with the standard version of events 798 00:36:51,757 --> 00:36:53,842 In which savage barbarians from the east 799 00:36:53,917 --> 00:36:55,995 Destroyed roman civilization 800 00:36:56,030 --> 00:36:59,995 And plunged europe into the dark ages. 801 00:37:00,030 --> 00:37:03,682 How can the history of the roman empire's fall from power 802 00:37:03,757 --> 00:37:07,762 Enshrined as fact for more than a millennium be wrong? 803 00:37:10,910 --> 00:37:13,435 -[suspenseful music] -[people shouting] 804 00:37:13,510 --> 00:37:15,275 As the roman empire collapsed, 805 00:37:15,310 --> 00:37:16,842 Two worlds collided. 806 00:37:18,910 --> 00:37:21,995 Roman writers paint the huns as bloodthirsty invaders, 807 00:37:22,004 --> 00:37:23,682 Hell-bent on destruction. 808 00:37:26,830 --> 00:37:30,722 But now, the discovery of 51 deliberately deformed skulls 809 00:37:30,797 --> 00:37:32,562 In the empire's eastern reaches, 810 00:37:32,637 --> 00:37:35,835 Is revealing a very different picture. 811 00:37:35,870 --> 00:37:38,555 [hannah-marie] we've had this story presented to us 812 00:37:38,590 --> 00:37:40,875 That with the fall of the roman empire 813 00:37:40,910 --> 00:37:45,435 Came the collapse of civilization as we know it. 814 00:37:45,470 --> 00:37:47,515 But actually, this is a very inaccurate 815 00:37:47,550 --> 00:37:50,115 Representation of what happened. 816 00:37:50,190 --> 00:37:51,755 [darius] of course, there's going to be these flashpoints, 817 00:37:51,790 --> 00:37:53,315 These dramatic moments, 818 00:37:53,390 --> 00:37:57,195 These losses in these battles over centuries. 819 00:37:57,204 --> 00:38:00,635 But really, it's this gradual change, 820 00:38:00,670 --> 00:38:02,675 And pivot into new powers 821 00:38:02,750 --> 00:38:07,835 That were occupying the empire and not going away. 822 00:38:07,870 --> 00:38:10,402 [narrator] the evidence from mozs suggests the huns, 823 00:38:10,477 --> 00:38:13,362 And their fellow barbarians were a consequence 824 00:38:13,437 --> 00:38:17,795 And not a cause of the roman empire's collapse. 825 00:38:17,870 --> 00:38:19,115 There's so many factors then that lead 826 00:38:19,150 --> 00:38:21,042 To the fall of the roman empire. 827 00:38:21,117 --> 00:38:22,235 -[people shouting] -[suspenseful music] 828 00:38:22,244 --> 00:38:23,995 The tax revenue is not there. 829 00:38:24,004 --> 00:38:26,875 That power, the military, it's breaking down. 830 00:38:26,910 --> 00:38:29,475 [dramatic music] 831 00:38:29,550 --> 00:38:31,675 [narrator] the empire's complex economy 832 00:38:31,710 --> 00:38:35,675 In which taxation, agriculture, a vast army, 833 00:38:35,710 --> 00:38:40,122 And huge cities all relied on each other was its strength. 834 00:38:40,990 --> 00:38:44,235 But also, its weakness. 835 00:38:44,270 --> 00:38:46,075 Because when things went wrong, 836 00:38:46,110 --> 00:38:49,835 This carefully constructed house of cards collapsed. 837 00:38:49,844 --> 00:38:52,875 [dramatic music] 838 00:38:52,910 --> 00:38:55,355 And, of course, other people are going to come 839 00:38:55,390 --> 00:38:57,115 And fill in that vacuum. 840 00:38:57,150 --> 00:38:59,915 [dramatic music] 841 00:38:59,950 --> 00:39:03,362 [narrator] some of these people fought, some settled. 842 00:39:03,437 --> 00:39:06,835 But they all shared a common purpose. 843 00:39:06,910 --> 00:39:09,115 [istvan] the goal of these people is really 844 00:39:09,150 --> 00:39:12,795 Sustaining their lives, their economies. 845 00:39:12,870 --> 00:39:17,202 One way is to lead successful military campaigns, 846 00:39:17,277 --> 00:39:22,635 Plundering or forcing payments in the form of tribute, 847 00:39:22,710 --> 00:39:26,675 Or moving into the area of the empire of settling down 848 00:39:26,750 --> 00:39:28,002 And living off the land. 849 00:39:29,230 --> 00:39:30,715 [narrator] instead of invaders, 850 00:39:30,750 --> 00:39:32,715 Many of these people were migrants, 851 00:39:32,750 --> 00:39:35,922 Or even refugees in search of a better life. 852 00:39:37,470 --> 00:39:39,315 [darius] people come inside, 853 00:39:39,390 --> 00:39:42,875 People settle, people interact, people merge, 854 00:39:42,910 --> 00:39:47,682 And so you have this kind of much more complex relationship 855 00:39:47,757 --> 00:39:50,555 That's going on between these conquerors 856 00:39:50,590 --> 00:39:53,115 And then the romans. 857 00:39:53,150 --> 00:39:55,115 [narrator] this relationship between these two 858 00:39:55,150 --> 00:39:58,235 Supposedly sworn enemies was so strong, 859 00:39:58,270 --> 00:40:00,875 That by the time of the last burials in mozs, 860 00:40:00,910 --> 00:40:03,035 When almost everyone buried in the cemetery 861 00:40:03,070 --> 00:40:04,882 Had an elongated head, 862 00:40:04,957 --> 00:40:06,722 The distinction between invaders 863 00:40:06,797 --> 00:40:10,635 And locals may have ceased to exist. 864 00:40:10,670 --> 00:40:12,075 [darius] it's really at a certain point 865 00:40:12,150 --> 00:40:14,635 Hard to distinguish you from them, 866 00:40:14,670 --> 00:40:18,155 When you've been interacting with each other for so long. 867 00:40:18,230 --> 00:40:20,075 [hannah-marie] this evidence really strongly 868 00:40:20,110 --> 00:40:22,875 Challenges the idea that the huns, 869 00:40:22,884 --> 00:40:25,915 Or any other invading groups in this period, 870 00:40:25,950 --> 00:40:30,122 Simply came in and destroyed the areas that they invaded. 871 00:40:31,310 --> 00:40:33,275 [narrator] for 1500 years, 872 00:40:33,310 --> 00:40:34,955 The generally accepted story 873 00:40:34,990 --> 00:40:38,082 Of rome's fall from power has been wrong. 874 00:40:40,750 --> 00:40:43,762 The question, is why? 875 00:40:45,550 --> 00:40:49,515 And the answer lies with the original source material. 876 00:40:49,524 --> 00:40:52,475 They say history is written by the victors. 877 00:40:52,510 --> 00:40:55,595 But in this case, that's not accurate. 878 00:40:55,630 --> 00:40:58,002 The written sources that we have of this period 879 00:40:58,077 --> 00:40:59,955 Were written by the romans. 880 00:41:00,030 --> 00:41:01,522 -[dramatic music] -[people shouting] 881 00:41:01,597 --> 00:41:03,842 [narrator] historians have had to rely on a version 882 00:41:03,917 --> 00:41:07,675 Of the empire's collapse written by the losers, 883 00:41:07,710 --> 00:41:09,682 The educated roman elite, 884 00:41:09,757 --> 00:41:13,035 Living 700 miles from the frontier. 885 00:41:13,070 --> 00:41:15,155 [hannah-marie] we get a really strong sense from them 886 00:41:15,230 --> 00:41:17,955 That they are trying to present their enemies 887 00:41:18,030 --> 00:41:21,115 As more fearsome and terrible, 888 00:41:21,190 --> 00:41:24,922 To make their losses seem less shameful. 889 00:41:25,950 --> 00:41:27,355 [narrator] to save face, 890 00:41:27,390 --> 00:41:30,235 Roman writers cast the blame on the huns. 891 00:41:30,270 --> 00:41:34,635 Spinning a story of good romans versus bad barbarians, 892 00:41:34,670 --> 00:41:37,682 Civilized versus uncivilized. 893 00:41:38,750 --> 00:41:40,075 And with no written language 894 00:41:40,110 --> 00:41:42,555 To preserve the huns' side of the story, 895 00:41:42,590 --> 00:41:45,482 Roman propaganda became accepted history. 896 00:41:47,630 --> 00:41:51,362 But now, scientific analysis of these extraordinary skulls 897 00:41:51,437 --> 00:41:54,555 Is helping archaeologists to see through the spin, 898 00:41:54,590 --> 00:41:57,355 And piece together the reality of ordinary life 899 00:41:57,390 --> 00:41:59,122 In the crumbling roman empire. 900 00:42:01,030 --> 00:42:03,435 [hannah-marie] archaeology can help us to tell those stories 901 00:42:03,510 --> 00:42:05,202 That need to be told. 902 00:42:05,277 --> 00:42:07,035 About what life was actually 903 00:42:07,070 --> 00:42:09,195 Like during historical periods. 904 00:42:09,204 --> 00:42:10,635 [dramatic music] 905 00:42:10,710 --> 00:42:13,915 [narrator] thanks to 51 strangely shaped skulls, 906 00:42:13,950 --> 00:42:17,915 Microscopic traces of strontium, carbon, and nitrogen, 907 00:42:17,950 --> 00:42:20,722 Tiny variations in genetic code, 908 00:42:20,797 --> 00:42:23,635 And the experience of a radically different culture, 909 00:42:23,710 --> 00:42:26,155 In a different time and place, 910 00:42:26,190 --> 00:42:28,555 The story of the people on the frontline 911 00:42:28,590 --> 00:42:30,395 Of men, women, and children, 912 00:42:30,430 --> 00:42:34,075 Who experienced the fall of the empire firsthand, 913 00:42:34,110 --> 00:42:36,955 Can finally be told. 914 00:42:36,990 --> 00:42:39,842 [hannah-marie] sites like mozs help us to tell the stories 915 00:42:39,917 --> 00:42:41,915 About the people who actually lived 916 00:42:41,950 --> 00:42:44,882 During the transformation of europe and asia 917 00:42:44,957 --> 00:42:48,282 From roman rule into something new. 918 00:42:49,950 --> 00:42:53,315 [narrator] but the new community in mozs was short lived. 919 00:42:53,390 --> 00:42:56,315 In 453 ad attila died, 920 00:42:56,350 --> 00:42:59,835 Plunging the huns' territories into civil war. 921 00:42:59,844 --> 00:43:00,995 In little more than a decade, 922 00:43:01,070 --> 00:43:03,275 Their empire disappeared, 923 00:43:03,310 --> 00:43:06,875 And the huns vanished from contemporary accounts. 924 00:43:06,910 --> 00:43:10,875 There are no burials at mozs after around 470 ad, 925 00:43:10,910 --> 00:43:14,475 Just 40 years after the cemetery was founded. 926 00:43:14,550 --> 00:43:16,515 And the practice of cranial modification 927 00:43:16,590 --> 00:43:19,915 Petered out across europe over the following decades. 928 00:43:19,950 --> 00:43:22,115 So it seems to be that kind of window in time, 929 00:43:22,190 --> 00:43:25,515 In which it was culturally acceptable to a degree, 930 00:43:25,550 --> 00:43:27,035 And then afterwards, 931 00:43:27,044 --> 00:43:28,635 Maybe through merger of other peoples or whatnot, 932 00:43:28,670 --> 00:43:29,915 Different cultural norms, 933 00:43:29,950 --> 00:43:31,355 It's no longer prevalent. 934 00:43:31,390 --> 00:43:32,882 [dramatic music] 935 00:43:32,957 --> 00:43:34,882 [narrator] but this fleeting practice 936 00:43:34,957 --> 00:43:39,275 In this short-lived community leaves a lasting legacy 937 00:43:39,310 --> 00:43:42,635 That reveals for many of the people living in the empire 938 00:43:42,670 --> 00:43:45,522 For many of those arriving from the east 939 00:43:45,597 --> 00:43:48,955 The fall of the roman empire wasn't a disaster. 940 00:43:48,990 --> 00:43:50,882 It was an opportunity, 941 00:43:50,957 --> 00:43:54,635 That offered the hope of a new life in a new land 942 00:43:54,710 --> 00:43:57,322 And a better future for all their children.