A case of bilateral forefoot amputation from the Romano-British cemetery of Lankhills, Winchester, UK

Excavations in 1967–1972 at the Romano-British cemetery of Lankhills, Winchester, revealed a male with an unusual transmetatarsal amputation of both forefeet. This is the only case known in England. Numerous explanations are considered, including accident, disease, and deliberate surgical amputation. It is concluded that, while the cause can never be known with certainty, the most likely possibilities are either surgery necessitated as a result of trench foot, or punitive amputation.