FAYETTE COUNTY, Ind. (WXIN) — Human remains discovered along a riverbank in Fayette County, Indiana, have been determined to be more than 4,200 years old, the local coroner announced Monday.
The remains, which included a portion of a human skull, were reportedly found on June 2 on the bank of the Whitewater River. The discovery was then passed on to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, where detectives launched an investigation.
After rounds of study and preliminary analysis, including radiocarbon dating, it has been confirmed that the partial skull is approximately 4,270 years old and dates back to around 2300 B.C.
Fayette County Coroner Eddie Richardson said the discovery “adds a profound historical layer” to the Indiana community as Hoosiers celebrate Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. His office called the event “a moment for respect and heritage” in a social media post.
“Today, as we observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the history, cultures and enduring presence of Native American people,” a statement read. “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.”
Analysis specialists, including Krista Latham, PhD, D-ABFA, with the University of Indianapolis Human Identification Center and staff at the University of Georgia, contributed to the testing.
“This discovery underscores the importance of our community’s vigilance and the necessity of professional collaboration,” Richardson said. “I want to commend the landowner for their responsible action in immediately reporting the finding.”
Richardson said that, “due to the antiquity of the remains,” his office is in close collaboration with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The coroner said he is currently awaiting guidance from DNR regarding next steps to ensure the discovery and land are handled according to cultural and legal standards.
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