Archaeologists discover remains of 25 in Peru mass grave  

In Peru, archaeologists have discovered a pre-Columbian mass grave with remains of 25 people in the ancient city of Chan Chan. 

According to archaeologist Jorge Meneses, the team unearthed the bones of about 25 people, mostly women and children, as well as dozens of ceramic vessels and artifacts such as needles used in textile work.

Remain were found in Chan Chan which was a fortress of the Chimu civilisation. 

Chan Chan was the largest mud citadel in pre-Columbian America.

The Chimú ruled parts of present-day Peru. Their empire reached its height in the 15th Century before their defeat by the Incas.

As per experts, the mass grave may have been a burial place where members of the Chimú elite were laid to rest. 

Archaeologist Sinthya Cueva said that most of the skeleton were of females and none of them were over 30 years old.

It is known that the Chimú carried out human sacrifices, including of children, archaeologist Jorge Meneses Bartra said that there was no evidence those in the newly discovered grave died that way.

Scientists will carry out tests to try to determine their cause of death.

Mr Meneses said that the position of one of the skeletons suggested that it had been buried there shortly after the person's death, while other bones appeared bleached by the elements and were jumbled together - suggesting that they had been moved to the grave site later.

The bodies were wrapped in a sitting position in several layers of fabric, the first of cotton and the second of vegetable matter.

Moreover, Pre-Columbian remains and artefacts are frequently discovered in Peru. 

Last month, workers laying gas pipes on a street in Lima stumbled on the remains of a gravesite that included 2,000-year-old ceramic burial vessels.