More than 40 skeletons with their hands tied behind their backs have been discovered at a construction site in the U.K.

British news outlet SWNS reports that the macabre discovery was made while workers were preparing former farmland for a new development of 72 retirement apartments in Buckingham, southern England.

There is speculation that the remains date back to Anglo-Saxon Britain, which lasted from the 5th to the 11th century A.D. or the bloody English Civil Wars between 1642 to 1651. Local district and town councilor Robin Stuchbury says that the mysterious remains may also be criminals executed on gallows in the town of Buckingham, according to SWNS.

'HUMAN SACRIFICE' VICTIMS DISCOVERED AT GRUESOME ANCIENT SITE

Brio Retirement Living Holdings, which is part of property management group Places for People, is behind the development of the site, SWNS reports. Fox News has reached out to Places for People with a request for comment on this story.

Part of the site in Buckingham, Southern England, where 42 skeletons were discovered with their hands tied behind their backs. (SWNS)

The MK Citizen reports that the remains have been removed, leaving the graves as empty holes in the ground.

Stuchbury says that, as far as he is aware, the skeletons were found in December, but he wants more details on the discovery.

KING’S STAINED EXECUTION VEST TELLS GRISLY TALE, SET TO GO ON DISPLAY

Empty graves at the site where the skeletons were discovered.

Buckinghamshire County Archaeology Service monitored the archaeological excavations at West End Farm as a condition of planning permission for a new care home on the site, according to a local official. "A number of unusual burials were excavated, including some groups of skeletons that appeared to have their hand tied behind their backs," said Bill Chapple, cabinet member for Planning & Environment at Buckinghamshire County Council, in a statement emailed to Fox News. "We are awaiting the results of the post-excavation analysis to establish how old the burials are, and details such as the age and gender of those buried, their origins, health, illnesses and cause of death."

"This analysis can take some months to undertake, and the results will be presented in a report from the archaeological specialist consultant once work is complete," Chapple added. "This is obviously a very important site for Buckingham, with a fascinating story, and we look forward to sharing the results once we have them."

LOST ANCIENT MONASTERY MAY HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED

Last year, workers preparing to lay new water pipes discovered a gruesome ancient burial site in Southern England.

The grisly discovery was made on former farmland. (SWNS)

Some 26 human skeletons from the Iron Age and Roman periods were found at the site in Childrey Warren, Oxfordshire, some of which are believed to be ritual burials.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

One female skeleton at the site was found buried with her feet cut off and placed side by side with her arms bound behind her head.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers