A MASS grave unearthed in York contained skeletons of English Civil War soldiers, a new investigation has suggested.

Graves containing 113 male skeletons were found just outside the Bar Walls three years ago, and it is thought they were of men who fought for the Parliamentarians in the 1644 siege of York.

BBC’s History Cold Case will tomorrow report that the men probably died from typhus fever.

The location of the graves suggested a burial during the 17th century, and researchers believe the bodies were buried during the civil war. The York 113 will be shown on BBC 2 at 9pm tomorrow.