New research has revealed that ancient human remains dating back over 500 years have been discovered in archaeological excavations. These remains, which consist of more than 100 individuals, all belong to young adults. The intriguing factor is that these remains are from the Chichen Itza Maya civilization, which thrived in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula during the year 1967. They were found in the sacred cenote of Chultun, a cave system connected to underground rivers.

The findings of these excavations have been published in the journal Nature. Radiocarbon dating indicates that the burial site was utilized between the 7th and mid-12th centuries. Genetic analysis has further revealed that all the individuals buried there were of indigenous origin, and a significant portion of them were close relatives.

The cause of death for these individuals is currently unknown. However, certain characteristics found in the burial site hint at violent deaths. Typically, the presence of burial sites containing young individuals suggests conflicts between rival groups or enemy factions. The most recent burials in the site, known as “Surpet,” date back to the 12th century during the Itza period.

“Typically, violent deaths are associated with specific regions in an archaeological context. However, the discovery that all the burials were violent and interconnected has altered the narrative. We now need to delve deeper into understanding this,” stated the scientists involved in the study.