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[article provided by Lona. Thanks!]

 http://www.abqjournal.com/paperboy/link/news/1remains02-24-00.htm

Thursday, February 24, 2000
Remains Found in Cave

The Associated Press

NENAHNEZAD -- A human skeleton has been found in a cave on the Navajo Nation
in northwestern New Mexico.

 A Fruitland man found the remains weeks ago while horseback riding, but he
did not report it because he thought it might be an Indian burial site.
Investigators on Wednesday determined the remains to be human, but they are
not speculating on how long the remains had been there or the cause of
death.
Several weeks ago, Lynn Randall came across several stacked rocks blocking a
cave entrance on a small cliff with what appeared to be human remains
inside.
"At first I thought it was 100 years old," Randall said, "but I got to
thinking about it. It can't be 100 years old. I know you're supposed to
report it, (but) my first thought it was something ancient and I just
thought I'd leave it alone."
He later changed his mind and notified authorities.
Navajo Nation Police Lt. Douglas Joe conducted a preliminary investigation
of the scene as fellow officers inspected the area for any type of evidence.
"It's pretty old, most of the bones are outside (of the cave)," Joe said.
"The teeth had no fillings. They were pretty well preserved."
He said investigators won't know how long the remains have been there or if
they belong to a male or female until they are analyzed by an FBI lab in
Albuquerque.
Investigators did find two orange coral beads -- which are common fixtures
in Navajo burials -- inside the cave. Joe said the bones will be returned if
the site is determined to be a Navajo burial site.
Joe plans on questioning residents today to find out if anyone knows of a
burial site in the area.
Navajo Nation Police officer Kenny James said people will sometimes come
across old burial sites in the Chuska Mountains, which span the northern New
Mexico-Arizona border.
 

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