14 different human remains found in 5,000-year-old Scottish tomb from the Neolithic period

More than a dozen human remains were found inside a 5,000-year-old tomb in Scotland.

At least 14 sets of human remains were uncovered during an excavation on the Orkney Islands.

Video shows archaeologists carefully digging around the remains. Experts have said the rare findings show remains from the Neolithic period.

“Orkney has a new Maes Howe- type passage grave,” wrote Dr Hugo Anderson-Whymark, a Scottish curator who studies the paleolithic and Neolithic eras, on X (formerly Twitter). “Digging in museum archives paid off this time!”

Anderson-Whymark, who headed the excavation, said that while the Orkney is “exceptionally rich in archaeology” finding a tomb of that size goes beyond expectations, according to BBC.

"It's incredible to think this once impressive monument was nearly lost without record, but fortunately just enough stonework has survived for us to be able understand the size, form and construction of this tomb,” Anderson-Whymark told BBC.

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'Bodies on top of bodies'

The skeletons were of men, women and children including two found in an embracing position, according to the Guardian. The remains were found inside one of six cells or side rooms.

The team measured the tomb, finding that it reached nearly 50 feet (more than 15 meters) in diameter. The tomb featured a stone structure accessed through a passage more than 20 feet (around seven meters) long, according to the Guardian.

The Guardian reported that research techniques such as DNA analysis could be used to analyze questions regarding whether the individuals buried were related or linked to different Orkney tombs used for generations.

“They were certainly putting bodies on top of bodies, but they appear to have gone in over a period of time,” Anderson-Whymark said. “Seven or eight meters across the interior is really big. We had found not only the tomb, but then in situ articulated skeletons – the icing on the cake.”

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5,000 year old tomb in Scotland reveals fourteen skeletons