Story highlights 16th century skeleton found under primary school in Edinburgh, Scotland

Archeologists say the remains could belong to pirate buried in unmarked grave

(CNN) British primary school students have been treated to a real-life ancient history lesson after their playground unexpectedly turned into an archeological site.

As workers prepared to build an extension at Victoria Primary School near Newhaven, a former fishing village now part of Edinburgh, Scotland, many expected to uncover the original harbor and shipyard.

But to their surprise, they found human remains instead.

Archeologists have carbon dated the skeleton to the 16th-17th centuries.

Archeologists carbon dated the skeleton to the 16th or 17th century. They believe the remains belong to a man in his 50s, who was most likely a pirate or criminal.

Edinburgh Council says a gibbet, or gallows, stood near Newhaven's docks 600 years ago, and was commonly used to execute people alleged to be witches, pirates and criminals.

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