Ancient Romans may have been cozier with Huns than they let on

Despite painting nomadic Huns as ‘barbarians,’ Roman settlers swapped menus with them

Hun skull

HEADY HUNS  A new analysis of diet among the Huns and ancient Romans uses human remains from five Roman Empire frontier sites, including this skull with a stretched-out braincase. The practice of binding children’s heads to elongate the skull is thought to have originated among nomadic Huns.

S.E. Hakenbeck

Nomadic warriors and herders known as the Huns are described in historical accounts as having instigated the fifth century fall of the Roman Empire under Attila’s leadership.