Whenever you visit an archaeological site, it’s good to be mindful that people lived in that place and there is the possibility that people were laid to rest there, as well. Although uncommon, it is possible that you could encounter human remains. The first thing to keep in mind is to be respectful. You may have found the remains of a person who deserves your kindness and discretion. Never share photos or locations of possible human remains on social media or other internet sites, and under no circumstances should you attempt to move human remains, even if you are moving them to another place you think may be safer for them. You should try not to handle the remains yourself. There are state (1)and federal laws that prohibit disturbing human remains, and even good intentions can have negative consequences.
How do I know if these are human or animal remains?
Oftentimes it is hard to differentiate between bone that could be human or animal. Bones from archaeological contexts can be fractured, buried, or otherwise difficult to see. In general, human bones tend to be more porous than animal bones and have more “spongy” material inside them. Most animal bones tend to be heavier, thicker, and have more of a curve to them than human bones. If you want to learn more about how to distinguish between human and animal bones, the Arizona State Museum has a guide available online:
Odds are, you will need help identifying whether or not a bone you have found is human or animal. (Even archaeologists consult other scientists for this kind of information!). Take photographs of the exposed portion of bone with a scale if possible (your waterbottle, sunglasses, or other common item in your pack can give a sense of relative scale). A good photograph will have either full sun or full shade, if the discovery is in mottled sun/shade, you can shade your photograph with your body, backpack, or jacket. Take as many photographs as you need to visually describe the bone.
Who Do I Contact?
If you have taken photographs and are ready to report this discovery, who can you call? There are several different people and organizations that you may send these photographs to, depending on who owns the land you are on. Law enforcement needs to be your first call. Even if you think this is ancient, law enforcement needs to be brought in first. They will know who to contact in case the human remains are old.
If you are on BLM land, then BLM Law Enforcement is your contact. BLM law enforcement dispatch (800) 637-9152
If you are on Forest Service land: Law Enforcement and Investigations
Scott Harris Special Agent in Charge 801-625-5324 Fax: 801-625-5225
Mike McKinney Assistant Special Agent in Charge 801-625-5430
Larry Hall Patrol Commander 801-625-5582
Ragan Hall Regional Administrative Specialist 801-625-5780
Julie White Regional Administrative Specialist 801-625-5230
And if you are on private property, or you are not sure where you are, contact local law enforcement.
You can find an expanded contact list here.
What If I’m Working on Private Property and I Find Human Remains?
If you are working and you think you may have discovered human remains, stop work immediately and contact the proper authorities. Local law enforcement should be your first call, whether that is your city’s police department or the county sheriff. If you are not sure if these are prehistoric human remains, this may be your only phone call. However, if you know there are other archaeological sites around, or if you have other reason to suspect that these remains may be ancient, you should also contact the Human Remains Program at the State Historic Preservation Office.