Human skulls found at an ancient Mayan site in Mexico belonged to people tortured as part of a grim ritual around 1,000 years ago, new evidence shows.
Earlier this year, it was announced 13 human burial sites were found at the Moral Reforma Archaeological Zone by experts from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History.
And having spent four months studying the skulls found in the Mayan City, found in modern-day Tabasco, it has been determined the humans were tortured to death . . . and then decapitated.
READ MORE: Loch Ness Monster hunters hear 'gloop' noises in search but make one crucial mistake
Of the 13 skulls and various body parts, two of them were found to have been aged between 17 and 25, two aged around 33 to 45, while the rest were aged between 25 and 35.
Two of those who were decapitated were found to have horizontal cut marks below the skull.
Miriam Angélica Camacho Martínez, a physical anthropologist with the INAH Tabasco Centre, said: “The cut marks reveal the use of a sharp object to extract the skull, although it is difficult to determine if this injury was the cause of death or if it was done post-mortem.”
The expert also detailed what else the skulls brought to light, including the state of dental hygiene 1,000 years ago.
They said: “Regarding the health and nutrition indicators of the individuals, dental pathologies were recorded, such as enamel hypoplasia in canines (tooth fragility due to enamel reduction), a sign of malnutrition in childhood or the presence of an infection at an early age.
-
'I'm a psychic who can speak to the dead – I see and taste in other dimensions'
“In addition, tartar plaques on the upper and lower incisors, and cavities in three of them, indicative of a diet based on carbohydrates, probably corn.
“The physical anthropologist reports that among the peculiarities of the burials is that some were covered with red pigment.
“The continuity of the analysis will make it possible to determine if some bones of the lower and upper extremities, found in the excavation, have correspondence with one or more skulls.”
More investigation is taking place at the site to see if more remains can be found.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
Source: Read Full Article