4,000-year-old skull found on river bank in Indiana. ‘Powerful and humbling’
Officials in Indiana have announced new information surrounding human remains found on a river bank earlier this year.
On June 2, a partial skull was found on the bank of Whitewater River, according to an Oct. 13 Facebook post by Fayette County Coroner Eddie Richardson.
The skull was tested and radiocarbon dating was used to determine the skull to be roughly 4,270 years old, dating back to around 2300 B.C.
The finding “adds a profound historical layer” amid Indigenous People’s Day, the coroner’s office said.
“Today, as we observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the history, cultures, and enduring presence of Native American people. This remarkable discovery is a powerful and humbling reminder that people have walked this land, our home in Fayette County, for millennia. It calls upon all of us to handle this matter with the utmost respect and diligence,” the post said.
The University of Indianapolis Human Identification Center, testing by the University of Georgia and Dr. Krista Latham worked to determine the skull’s history.
“This discovery underscores the importance of our community’s vigilance and the necessity of professional collaboration. I want to commend the landowner for their responsible action in immediately reporting the finding,” Richardson said.
The coroner’s office is working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and will determine the next steps for proper handling and preservation of the skull.
