Possible ancient American Indian remains found in Barron County
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Updated: 7:19 PM Aug 17, 2009
Possible ancient American Indian remains found in Barron County
Experts from State Historical Society and the Office of Prevention and Planning to help determine remain's orgins.
Posted: 6:43 PM Aug 17, 2009
Reporter: Kelly Schlicht
Email Address: kelly.schlicht@weau.com
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A human skeleton is probably the last thing you'd imagine finding in a pile of rocks at Prairie Lake.

"They saw something in the sand and thought it was a rock so they uncovered it and they found it was a human, a skeletal remains," describes Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald.

Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald says when the people exploring this island on the lake near Cameron called his department on Sunday, he didn't know if he had a crime scene on his hands.

"We weren't sure at that time because of where it was located," says Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald says there are other Indian burial grounds in the area, and the remains could be from an ancient Native American.

People who live nearby say they wouldn't doubt if more historic remains were found.

"I wouldn’t' be surprised because they have the mounds up here,” says Gary Fields, who owns a summer home across the street from the lake. “We've had some pretty big rains here lately too so maybe that's uncovered things, who knows?"

Fitzgerald says the remains have been taken to the sheriff's department and sealed as evidence, waiting for state forensic anthropologists and experts from the state historical society.

"At this time they would not like us to release pictures until they confirm what it is," says Fitzgerald.

It’s left neighbors waiting to ponder the history behind the potentially historic find.

“I think it's kind of neat to know that there were some native Indians living in this area," says Fields.

Sheriff Fitzgerald says the experts from the state historical society will be in town tomorrow, and will most likely know the age and type of remains by the end of this week.


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