Mexico to identify dead war heroes

Mexican soldiers have paraded the bones of heroes of the country's War of Independence through the capital, Mexico City, before scientists begin trying to solve a century-old mystery of identifying them.

"Thanks to them, Mexico exists," President Felipe Calderon said at a ceremony.

The remains of 12 fighters had been scattered across the country after the war against Spain ended in 1821. Dug up at the turn of the 20th century after complaints about the state of the tombs, the bones were placed in new urns but many were jumbled together.