Archaeologists have found a mass grave near Athens, Greece, containing more than 80 skeletons.
The wrists of the skeletons were all bound in iron shackles. Archaeologists believe they were part of a mass execution.
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Reuters reports that the skeletons were found earlier this year in the Falyron Delta necropolis, between Athens and the port of Piraeus. However, few people were allowed to see the dig site until recently.
But why these people were executed remains a mystery.
“They have been executed, all in the same manner. But they have been buried with respect,” Dr. Stella Chryssoulaki, head of excavations, told Reuters.
“They are all tied at the hands with handcuffs and most of them are very, very young and in a very good state of health when they were executed.”
It’s believed that the victims may have been part of a failed coup plot, supporters of Cylon, who attempted to take over Athens. Though he managed to escape, his supporters were captured and killed.
Chryssoulaki said that DNA tests may be able to determine if the theory is correct.