Ancient mass grave unearthed at Italian gallery thought to contain dozens of plague victims

National Post ^ | February 12, 2014

[Squawk 8888]

Work to expand the Uffizi Gallery’s exhibit space has unearthed an ancient cemetery with dozens of skeletons archaeologists say might have been victims of the plague or some other epidemic that swept through Florence during the 4th or 5th century.

Archaeologists and art officials showed reporters Wednesday the excavation at the renowned museum. In five months of digging, archaeologists uncovered 60 well-preserved skeletons in a cemetery apparently made in a hurry, perhaps a mass grave, with bodies laid side-by-side at roughly the same time.

[Beowulf9]

Bring back the flagellant movement!

[Popman]

I wonder why they seem to be buried in set of threes ?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Squawk 8888.

[Hegemony Cricket]

"I wonder why they seem to be buried in set of threes?"

Well, because people always die in threes...

[Popman]

Ha...even in ancient times...just like today...