80 human skeletons discovered earlier this year in Greece
Archaeologists have discovered a mass grave, where 80 human skeletons are buried with wrists clamped by chains in an ancient Greek cemetery.
The team of archaeologists say the remains may be dated to 632 BC, the result of a mass execution.
But who these people were, why they were buried with respect, and the reason for their death remains a mystery.
The remains are the result of a mass execution
80 skeletons were found earlier this year at the Falyron Delta necropolis, a large ancient cemetery excavated during the construction of an opera house and library between downtown Athens and the port of Piraeus, Greece.
In a rare visit, archaeologists carefully showed journalists 80 human skeletons. Some of the skeletons lay in long rows on the sand, some were lying on top of each other, their arms and legs bound with their jaws wide open.
80 Skeletons Found in Ancient Cemetery Falyron Delta
“They were executed in the same way. But they were buried respectfully,” said the head of the excavation, Dr. Stella Chryssoulaki.
“They are all tied with chains on their hands. Most of these people were very young and in good health at the time of their execution.”
Experts hope that DNA testing and anthropologist research will uncover the exact cause of death for 80 people.
All the skeletons have their hands and feet tied
The fact that they were buried in order shows that they were not slaves or common criminals.
One of the theories is that these were supporters of Cylon, who staged a coup in Athens in 632 BC with the help of his father-in-law, the tyrant Megara.
The coup failed and Cylon hid in the Acropolis. He tried to escape but his supporters were killed.
More than 1,500 bodies lie throughout this ancient cemetery, some infants placed in ceramic pots, others cremated or buried in stone coffins.
Most of these people were very young and in good health at the time of their execution
The fact that they were buried in order shows that they are not slaves or common criminals
There is a theory that they are the army of Cylon, the leader of a coup d’etat