OSCODA, MI -- Human skull and bone fragments unearthed this year during a Michigan Department of Transportation project along U.S. 23 are the remains of American Indians, anthropologists have determined.
Construction workers unearthed the grim surprise as they were tearing up a section of the roadway in Oscoda for resurfacing work. At first, workers found a partial skull and a few other scattered bone fragments while backfilling a trench on May 2. Additional fragments were found a few weeks later.
The remains were sent to the Michigan State University Forensic Anthropology Laboratory for further examination. Anthropologists there confirmed the American Indian connection this week, according to a statement released by MDOT.
Despite the finding, the construction project continued on schedule, MDOT spokesman Bob Felt said.
The resurfacing and streetscape project, which began in April, finished in November.
Construction work continued around an excavation site where the remains were found. Archeologists worked on site to ensure the bones were handled properly.
"Otherwise, it was business as usual," Felt said.
MDOT has consulted with American Indian tribes that have an interest in the remains. A determination has not yet been made over where they will end up.