Ancient Colombian burial site uncovered: 12-05-2008
An ancient burial site in Columbia has been uncovered by a group of builders clearing land.
The site, which covers about 12 acres, could contain the remains of human sacrifices, including a woman who could have been buried alive.
Ana Maria Groot, a leaf anthropologist from the National University of Colombia said that the woman's mouth was open "as if in terror".
Meanwhile, archaeologists found another tomb containing remains of a man with a curved shin and experts think this may be a sign that he was a shaman.
As well as clues to the historical culture of the site, researchers are also hoping to learn about the development of agriculture in the region.
"We have high expectations about finding what kinds of plants they cultivated," said Ms Groot.
"A settlement like Usme offers the chance to research the settlement's development through different moments in a prolonged occupation," she told National Geographic.
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