The six bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave in Northern Province have been identified as belonging to the period from 1499 - 1719 AD, according to carbon dating tests, reports Colombo Page on March 7. Six human bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave under the observation of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) were sent to the Beta Analytics in Miami in Florida in United States (US) for radiocarbon dating to determine the time periods in which the deaths occurred. Reports of the radiocarbon dating tests conducted on the bone samples was received last month and handed over to the Mannar Magistrate.
Skeletal remains of 315 people and human bones have been unearthed from the mass grave located at the sites of the old Sathosa Building in the Mannar town in Mannar District of Northern Province. Out of those, skeletal remains of 307 individuals have been systematically removed and currently sealed and placed in a special chamber at the Mannar Magistrate's Court complex. Among the bones found are skeletal remains of 26 children.