Remains of 24 Battle Victims Discovered in Mass Burial Site by Archeologists
Archeologists have discovered what appears to be a collective burial site with the remains of 24 people.
While excavating in El Curaca — a settlement in Atico River Valley, Peru, that predates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas — researchers from the University of Wroclaw in Poland found a circular tomb containing the remains of 24 men, women and children. The names of those inside were listed on a stone inscription, a translated Facebook post from the researchers read.
Related: Archeologists Discover First Pharaoh's Tomb in Egypt Since King Tut's Was Found More Than a Century Ago
Each body was wrapped in a fabric, and buried "in accordance with ritual and relatively rich equipment," the post read. Additionally, the site saw "grave gifts," such as items made from ceramic, stone and wood, as well as corn cobs.
Pottery pieces with the hallmarks of the Chuquibamba or Aruni people — a pre-Incan group that lived south of the excavation site, near the Majes basin, from roughly 1000 to 1450 A.D. — were also found near the bodies.
"The bones confirmed numerous damages that are the direct cause of death of all individuals," the post read, which led researchers to conclude that those inside the tomb sustained fatal injuries, likely from a battle. Those in the tomb were presumably part of the side that won the conflict, given the detail of the burials and the quality of the burial gifts.
Related: 'Extraordinary' Tomb of Ancient Egyptian Called 'Lady of the House' Found 4,000 Years After Her Death
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The region in which the burial site was found was relatively undisturbed. CBS News reported that previous research led archeologists to find cave sites with rock paintings and signs of Inca roads, but otherwise, not much other anthropological work has been conducted in the area.
The research team from the University of Wroclaw is expected to remain in the area through April, the outlet reported.
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National Geographic
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