Added: Jul 24, 2010

From: NTDTV

Duration: 1:39

Remains of over a dozen people are found by archeologists in Costa Rica at a pre-Columbian burial ground. A group of archeologists from Costa Rica's National Museum confirmed the discovery of 32 pre-Columbian graves, with at least 26 human remains. The graves were buried under a building site in a residential neighborhood, close to the city of Tres Rios, about 9 miles east from the capital, San Jose. The funeral complex being unearthed measures about 13 hundred square feet and researchers estimate it as being from 800 to 1,200 years old. The graves have a complex design, with mixed large and flat river stones being laid upon a stepped structure of several levels. [Patricia Fumero, General Director of Costa Rica's National Museum]: "Until now we have found several pots, nearly one hundred ceramic artifacts, stone figures and we have found 26 individuals." Archeologists say the findings are of vital importance to understanding the vision these groups had over life and death and their funeral habits. The skeletons were buried together with ceramic pieces such as vessels, pots and plates - most likely as an offering to the deceased. [Maritza Gutierrez, archeologist, Costa Rica's National Museum]: "According to the comparison of ceramic styles found here, together with those established for the Central Valley of Costa Rica, we are talking about 1,000 - 1,200 years after Christ. Samples of vegetal carbon will be sent in one or two months to specialized laboratories abroad and they will return the data with precise dates." A group of archeologists will remain at the site for two more weeks.

Channel: News

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