Frightening discovery in a ruined church near the Long Village: "I saw children inside. I immediately chased them away"

A citizen discovered several bags containing human bones in the ruins of St. Martin’s Church near Duboko Selo, Croatia, during a walk through the historic site. The individual, who spoke with Jutarnji list, described how he noticed children inside the church and followed them, eventually encountering the bags. He immediately drove the children away upon realizing the contents, and later contacted local authorities, including the police. The discovery has raised concerns over the accessibility of the site and the handling of historical materials. The incident occurred in the early evening, just before dusk, when the man decided to take a stroll around the area. He was not searching for anything specific but was drawn to the open remnants of the church, which had long been abandoned. According to his account, the space was fully accessible, with no barriers preventing entry. He noted that he did not touch or move the bags, instead contacting the police after recognizing their contents. Local media outlet DugoSelo.info confirmed that the site remained open, allowing unrestricted access, and that multiple bags, some torn, were found on-site. The presence of the bags, marked with “MB 2018, Kosti iz slojeva,” has sparked further questions. This notation suggests a possible link to archaeological work conducted at the site in 2018. During that year, archaeologists Juraj Belaj and Sebastian Stingl continued investigations into the interior of the church, concluding their studies of the nave and uncovering 43 graves. These findings were part of broader efforts to explore the history of the structure, which dates back centuries. Earlier excavations in 2017 had also revealed a large quantity of human remains mixed within the layers of soil beneath the church floor. Researchers attributed this to frequent disturbances caused by repeated burials and subsequent reinterments throughout the building’s history. As such, the label on the bags could indicate that they were part of an ongoing archaeological process, though no official records have yet confirmed this connection. Despite the potential significance of the find, there is currently no formal documentation linking the bags to the 2018 excavation. The Institute for Archaeology, the city of Duboko Selo, or other relevant authorities have not officially acknowledged the discovery. The individual who made the find stated that the police responded promptly, securing the site and calling in municipal services. However, he noted that these services did not arrive on the scene. The situation highlights the challenges of managing historical sites that remain partially accessible to the public. While the church’s ruins are considered a cultural landmark, the lack of proper oversight has allowed for the possibility of unauthorized access and disturbance. The discovery underscores the need for greater regulation and monitoring of such locations, particularly when sensitive historical artifacts or human remains are involved. It also raises questions about the handling of archaeological materials and the transparency of past research activities. For now, the bags remain on-site, awaiting further investigation.