By By Gemma Fox Sep 23, 2010 in World Golancz - Archaeologists in northern Poland have uncovered a mass grave that they believe dates back to the 17th century and a battle to save Golancz Castle. Artur Rozanski, from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Rozanski is supervising the excavation along with Tomasz Olszacki from the University of Lodz. It's thought that after the siege which took place at the castle the Swedes then killed several hundred of the defenders. It's believed that they then dug a huge, secret grave in the yard beside the castle. Archaeologists are calling it a "mysterious case" and say, "Even shortly after the Swedish Deluge people had no idea about the grave because a castle kitchen was located next to it.” Artur Rozanski also said, “Judging by the arrangement of the skeletons, the bodies were thrown into the grave, not properly buried. Some skulls were broken, which means that Swedes probably finished the injured off with cobble stones. They were buried naked because no personal belongings or clothes were found in the grave.” On the 3rd of May 1656 the Swedish army attacked Golancz Castle. In an attempt to defend the castle Polish gentry, clergy and peasants rose against the army but they failed and now archaeologists believe that there could be up to 80 of their bodies buried in this mass grave.Artur Rozanski, from the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, said , “It’s an extremely interesting but also a tragic discovery. We found a battle grave in the Lower Castle’s yard. So far we managed to uncover remains of seventeen people buried in three layers."Rozanski is supervising the excavation along with Tomasz Olszacki from the University of Lodz.It's thought that after the siege which took place at the castle the Swedes then killed several hundred of the defenders. It's believed that they then dug a huge, secret grave in the yard beside the castle.Archaeologists are calling it a "mysterious case" and say, "Even shortly after the Swedish Deluge people had no idea about the grave because a castle kitchen was located next to it.”Artur Rozanski also said, “Judging by the arrangement of the skeletons, the bodies were thrown into the grave, not properly buried. Some skulls were broken, which means that Swedes probably finished the injured off with cobble stones. They were buried naked because no personal belongings or clothes were found in the grave.” More about Golancz castle, Swedish deluge, Mass grave, 17th century More news from golancz castle swedish deluge mass grave 17th century