Workers came across human remains – and unearthed a mass grave of 572 people

Image source, Ranjan Arun Prasadh, BBC Image caption, Jeyaruby Jeyabalan was 12 when her father, Kandaiah Jayapalan, disappeared

When a mass grave was unearthed in northern Sri Lanka last February, it was not by design.

Workers were digging to extend a cremation ground in the Chemmani area of the Jaffna region when they suddenly discovered human remains, prompting an investigation.

By August, archaeologists had completed the third phase of the excavation at the site, during which they found the skeletal remains of 572 people, including children and infants.

Among the dead were artefacts from their lives – bangles, a school bag, a milk bottle.

It is believed to be the largest mass grave site ever uncovered in Sri Lanka.