It was almost midday when the first skulls were uncovered. Like any other, the day started early; the team always began work on the excavation as soon as it was light enough to see. I prefer working then: the light is clearer, the air cooler. We had found nothing of particular interest for weeks: a scattering of animal bones; some pieces of largely unremarkable pottery; a couple of fine arrow heads. The discovery of the first skulls caused such a commotion that I thought someone had been seriously hurt. People were running from all corners of the expansive site to one of the deeper trenches in the north east corner. I left my tools on the ground and followed the crowds towards the source of the alarm.

A crowd of twenty or so had gathered around the edges of the trench. I joined the group, peering over shoulders into hole below. Sam, one of the senior interns, was carefully dusting one of the first skulls. Three others were laid by her feet, like a grotesque bowling set. After the initial awe had past, we worked feverishly on through the heat of the day and late into the evening unearthing skull after skull. At the end of it, the team collapsed into the makeshift lab at the far end of the site. We were exhausted, covered in sweat soaked dust. Two of the younger team members exchanged wide grins, but I couldn’t share their joy. The mass grave was an archaeological marvel, an incredible find; but I saw only senseless death in the sea of skulls.

Inspired by the discovery of human skulls near Lake Xaltocan in Mexico.