Wind River Human Remains 200-500 Years Old

RIVERTON, Wyo. (AP) — The Fremont County Coroner's Office says preliminary analysis of a set of skeletal remains found on the Wind River Indian Reservation show the bones are hundreds of years old.

Coroner Mark Stratmoen says the remains, which were found Sept. 7 by a utility company, come from a time before settlers arrived in Wyoming. Stratmoen says the bones are roughly 200-500 years old.

Stratmoen believes the bones belong to an American Indian, but even if they aren't native remains, their location on the reservation means Stratmoen's office must follow procedures outlined in an agreement with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office.

Stratmoen refuses to release information about the location of the remains. He also is "forbidden by law" to release photos of the bones.