The remains of 59 people have been uncovered in a mass Civil War grave

The remains of 59 people have been uncovered in a mass Civil War grave which has been excavated over the past week in an area known as La Legua, in Aranda de Duero, Burgos.

The work was carried out by volunteers from the local Historical Memory Association whose spokesman, José María Rojas, told Europa Press that, although the grave was prepared to hold more bodies than were found, part of it was never used.

It’s understood that the victims are all male and include two teenagers. Personal objects were also found, including a large crucifix and a glass eye. One skeleton was found dressed in an orthopaedic corset, and is thought to be that of a man who was reported missing during the Civil War. DNA samples are to be cross-matched with those of a relative to confirm the identity.