Chocolate lovers may be interested to hear that archaeologists have uncovered what they believe to be evidence of a spread made from cocoa beans.

Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History made the discovery at the Pasco del Macho site in Yucatan.

Traces of a chemical substance that is considered to be a "marker" for chocolate was found on fragments of plates dating from 2,500 years ago.

Commenting on the find, archaeologist Tomas Gallareta said: "This is the first time it has been found on a plate used for serving food. It is unlikely that it was ground there."

Instead, it is thought the traces may provide an insight into where the traditional Mexican chocolate-based sauce mole originates.

However, the traces are not the oldest to be found in Mexico, with drinks vessels found off the gulf coast producing some that are around 1,000 years older.