| Polish authorities have unearthed the remains of 1,800 bodies and expect to find even more in a mass grave first discovered three months ago and believed to date back to the final days of World War II.
The site is in a corner of northern Poland that was part of Germany until 1945 and the authorities suspect the remains are of ethnic German civilians, at least some of whom were probably killed by advancing Soviet forces.
"We are dealing with a mass grave of civilians, probably of German origin. The presence of children ... suggests they were civilians," Polish archaeologist Zbigniew Sawicki said.
"It is very puzzling that no personal belongings have been found among the remains.
"We have few clues as to how these people died, though there is a high probability they were war victims."
Some 30 bodies were found with gunshot wounds, though the probable cause of death for many was hunger and cold, he said.
The first few skeletons were unearthed last October by construction workers laying the foundations of a new hotel in the town of Malbork, whose imposing castle - built by Teutonic knights in the 13th century - is a major draw for tourists.
Harsh winter weather has now slowed the exhumation process.
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ABC News
Published 15 January, 2009, 7am
Photo: Spiegel Online | 
