This morning, a routine construction job at the Transbay Transit Center revealed a major archaeological discovery. Workers filling concrete in the ground uncovered a human skeleton that the coroner later identified as Native American remains, according to the Transbay Joint Powers Agency.
The remains, which reportedly includes a skull and a thigh bone, are currently in the protection of the Native American Heritage Commission, which will identify a probable relative.
Stephanie Reichin, spokeswoman for TJPA, says that they are "currently going through the process with the archaeologists and the Native American Heritage and from there they will appoint the most likely descendant."
Once a descendent is identified, "they will provide guidance about how to handle the remains," says Reichin.
In the six years that the Transbay Transit Center Project has been underway, contract workers have unearthed artifacts and animal bones, including a mammoth tooth that was dug up over a year ago. However, Reichin says that today's discovery is a "unique" find.
"Out of respect for the Native American community, images of the remains will not be provided, and no further information will be made available until after the project has consulted with the most likely descendent," Reichin says.
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