France, June 6 -- Archaeologists in Senegal have uncovered skeletons with bullets lodged in the bodies during the first excavation of a cemetery at the former military camp of Thiaroye outside Dakar, where French soldiers massacred African colonial troops.

Excavations at the Thiaroye military cemetery began in early May. These are aimedat shedding lighton the events of 1 December, 1944, when African riflemen who had fought for France during the Second World War - known as tirailleurs - were shot dead after protesting against unpaid wages.

The episode marks one of the worst massacres during French colonial rule, and questions remain concerning the number of soldiers killed, their identities and where they were buried.

French authorities...