Human remains

[Greg S]

I was out checking a 'survival' campsite my youngest son and some his friends were going to be at this weekend. Looks like a neat spot and is on public land. They showed me some "Caves" that were really just some covered areas from very large rocks tumbled together in some long past earthquake. My flashlight caught something that piquet my interest and on examination it turned out to be some rather old human remains. Actually a bunch of crumbling bones.

Without touching or disturbing anything, I checked it out to find no sign of anything modern like fillings, clothing or metal. There was no sign that an attempt had been made to hide or bury the remains other than it was in a 'cave'. I wondered if it should be reported to the RCMP, museum anthropology department or native band. The kids asked if I could hold off reporting it till they finished their camp because they thought they had an ideal site and had been preparing their shelters already. I figured that since the bones had been there a hundred years or so already, a couple more days wouldn't hurt. The kids are responsible and known to us and I lectured them on leaving the remains untouched (federal offense I beleave), they agreed they would leave them untouched. My son was told to reinforce this requirement with them again, then after their camp-out I would report the find. Decided the RCMP would be the way to go as they are federal and have the protocols in place for progressing the find to anthropological circles or other proper authorities.

Some of the boys (mine included) decided to tell their outdoors teacher who promptly initiated a search to verify, and called in the RCMP who are now carrying out a homicide investigation. The Coroner was out there this afternoon. The boys aren't allowed to go camping and Anthropologists are going to be there tomorrow, Sunday or Monday. I got a call from the mounties and am in a situation now for not having reported it right away. The damn bones have been there since forever or more and they figure they have to rule out a murder for crying out loud. How come a murder investigation doesn't have to take place when human skull and bones are found in a midden?

I feel the teacher should have contacted me before he got a search party going and it would have been nice if the RCMP had contacted me before they got into a tizzy. Makes me wonder if they responded with their red lights and siren going. I hope not! The kids were so wishful that I not report it till after their weekend and then they go spreading it all over the school. I'm a bit ticked off.

What's my point with this posting? Just venting I guess. What would you have done. I hind-site I know what I would have done if I had it to do over again.

[JD]

Greg,

I'm sure it will all work out. Where was the site?

JD

[Bill E.]

Great story Greg, let us know how things go, don't suppose you took any pictures? Not that I'm morbid or anything but it sounds like an interesting location.
Bill

[Greg S]

I didn't get any pictures initially because I didn't have a camera. Then I couldn't because no one was allowed in because of the homicide investigation. I was going to go last night with my son but he didn't get home from work till after dark and I wanted pipctures from outside as well. I don't know if they would have removed the remains or not during the investigation.

Jared says that he heard at school that the remains are 1000 years old. He attributes the comment to an official source but doesn't know where exactly. I suspect they have been there since January 26th 1700. Time of death probably about 9 PM local time. (seriously)

Anybody know why I would pick that time and day?

[DaveB]

That would depend whether it was a homicide or not. If it was a homicide, it would have had to be before 9 PM, but likely the killer got his just desserts.

Dave

[Bill E.]

OK Greg, let's hear why January 26th 1700 has significance. Incidently, I'm glad the skeleton is that old given all the renewed interest in the Michael Dunahee case. That is one victim's remains that I don't think anyone would want to come across, a pretty sad situation.

[DaveB]

Oh come on Bill, figure it out! All you need is Google!

And I sure hope that Michael's story ends better than this...

Dave

[ANDYD]

Hi Greg,

So any last words on the remains? Is there a final chapter to this discovery?
You've been quiet lately, hope your not in jail!! :lol:

Andy

[Greg S]

No jail time, at least not yet. When we got the word that we were allowed back into the area, I got some pictures. They didn't turn out as well as I hoped, per usual. The authorities had the remains well camouflaged with natural debris that we put back after the photo shoot. One of the other parents went out there with their kid later and report a second scull. I didn't see a second one so I guess yet another trip is due. No report on age other than "ancient'. Pity is the damage that was done to the cave floor by everyone's feet flailing around behind them as they bellied down to check the bones. All sign of the old campfires seem to be gone.

[archaeology_student]

Interesting story. Have had experience with archaeological sites, but never a discovery like that, and it sounds like you lucked out on something most archaeologists dream about where everything was in situ (an artifact that has not been moved from its original place of deposition, in other words is stationary meaning "Still").

Any developments since?

[Greg S]

Nope. Haven't even been back. My interest dissappeared when "the experts" went in an ruined the site with their slithering around over all the potential evidence of ancient fires etc. I was realy (realy) interested in the hearth sites that had no charring above them. The "experts" wiped them out.

Lucked out? Third cave full of bones I've seen. First one was a well know burial cave on the West Coast. Second was also on the West Coast but in a park. Reported it to the park wardens office. Doubt they were able to find it but they said "Nobody is reported missing." How long does it take for a skull to turn dark brown? Probably predates their reporting system.