PORT ANGELES — A Lower Elwha Klallam tribal official says the discovery of complete skeletal remains of a non-tribal woman found on the graving yard site will be investigated in more detail.
The remains were discovered in an isolated grave early last week during the archaeological excavation of the former Klallam village to recover Native remains and artifacts.
Port Angeles police were called to the 22-acre graving yard Tuesday to determine if they had a crime scene.
But police determined there was apparently no foul play and estimated the remains to be 75 to 100 years old.
They appeared to have been buried like the Native American remains that archaeologists and tribal workers have been uncovering at the site.
Different soil
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Chairwoman Frances G. Charles said archaeologists are now wanting to inspect the skeleton more closely because the soil in which the woman was buried differs from that around tribal burials.
“This was decided late Friday afternoon, and now the Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is in charge because it is a non-Native skeleton,” she said Saturday.
Officials from the state agency could not be reached for comment Saturday afternoon.