I realise that as soon as I mentioned a mass grave, it hinted toward an event of an unpleasant kind. Through history, mass graves have been an indication of catastrophes like war, disease or some kind of natural calamity. But a recent unearthing of a mass grave in Greece has puzzled researchers.
Part of the Falyron Delta necropolis was unearthed to reveal about 80 skeletons.
The ancient cemetery was unearthed during the construction of a national opera house and library between downtown Athens and the port of Piraeus. The site revealed skeletons of people that researchers speculate were executed.
The interesting bit is that all the skeletons were shackled by chains around their wrists, but they seem to have been buried with respect.
The skeletons were found with some of them laid out in a neat row in the sand, while others were piled on top of each other. Their arms and legs were found to be twisted, with their jaws hanging open. “They have been executed, all in the same manner. But they have been buried with respect,” said head of excavations Stella Chryssoulaki as quoted by CBC News.
While the executions were brutal, the orderly way they have been buried suggests that they were more than just commoners.
Since the cemetery dates to have been from between 8th and 5th century BC, it has been linked to a period of civil unrest when nobles had continuous conflicts with each other. One of the most accepted theories claims the bodies to be followers of the Athenian noble Cylon who attempted a coup against the tyrant of Megara, in 632 BC . When the coup failed, Cylon escaped but his followers were brutally executed.
Whatever the case may be, researchers are still waiting for DNA test results to prove the exact cause of death and origin of the bodies. But for now, this massive crypt remains a complete mystery with only brutality as its image.
A creepy mystery, this.
Masthead Source: tvnet.lv