While preparing for construction of a housing development in Stuttgart, Germany, an ancient horse cemetery with more than 100 burials was discovered that was used by the Roman cavalry unit stationed nearby in the second century C.E. [900×600]

[Source](https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a64579357/100-roman-horses/)

The horse burial ground is located close to a cavalry fort where a unit known as “Ala” was stationed between 100 and 150 C.E., roughly 300 years before the fall of Rome. “The troop, with almost 500 riders, is likely to have had a total horse population of at least 700 animals, and losses had to be constantly replaced,” lead archaeologist Sarah Roth explained in the press release. “The horses do not all appear to have died at the same time in a major event such as a battle or epidemic. Rather, the animals buried here either died of illness, injury… or were no longer able to fulfill their role as military horses.”

One grave was of particular interest to archaeologists, as they discovered two jugs and a small oil lamp placed in the crook of the legs of one of the horses—grave goods typically reserved for humans. “Here we see a particularly close connection of the owner to his horse,” Roth said. “Even after about 1,800 years, the grief over the death of this one animal is still apparent.”