Monday, March 12, 2012

167 bodies discovered in Mexican cave died 1,300 years ago (even though experts thought site was 50 years old)

Forensic experts say a mass grave discovered in southern Mexico with the remains of 167 people is around 1,300 years old, it was originally thought the grave was only 50 years old.

The experts and anthropologists said the skulls of the remains, found in a cave near the Guatemalan border, showed signs of artificial deformation practiced more than 1,000 years ago by natives in the area.

The Maya people, who lived in Southern Mexico and Guatemala, would use planks to flatten and elongate the skulls of infants.

The top Chiapas official from Mexico's national anthropology institute said the site shared characteristics with other cemeteries that date from the years 700 to 1200, a statement said.

The remains ‘disintegrated at the touch,’ said the official at the Chiapas state prosecutor's office.

Investigators are trying to determine the age and gender of the victims and the cause of death, the official said on condition of anonymity. Read More

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