Mafia-like gangs had bloody turf wars in Iron Age Britain

Mafia-like gangs roamed the countryside executing rival tribes in bloody turf wars in Iron Age Britain, new research has revealed.

For almost a century, historians have blamed the invading Romans for mass slaughter events involving native tribes at hill forts across the west country.

But radiocarbon dating of human remains dug up in 1936 at one of Europe's biggest hill forts has revealed the victims were actually killed 100 years before the Romans arrived.

And far from a bloodthirsty invading army carrying out atrocities as they swept their way across the land, 'localised gangland infighting' was behind the brutal slayings.

Rival groups fought one another for control over territory.