Researchers puzzled over discovery of prehistoric human remains in Wisconsin

By BOB VON STERNBERG, Star Tribune

Last update: August 17, 2009 - 11:59 PM

Prehistoric skeletal remains were found Sunday on an island in a small lake near Chetek, Wis., about 100 miles northeast of the Twin Cities.

The Barron County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that the remains, initially identified by a forensic anthropologist, are believed to be of a prehistoric Native American.

But that, for now, is about all anyone knows. "I've got guys in the department who've been here 15 years and no one's ever seen anything like it," said Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald.

The discovery occurred when members of a family were picking rocks on a small island in Prairie Lake late Sunday afternoon. "They were just out enjoying the day and part of the skeleton was out of the ground and one of the kids started to dig it out," Fitzgerald said. "They immediately called us."

Deputies took digital photos and e-mailed them to the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison. "They got back to us and said it looked like Indian remains."

So deputies dug out the remaining bones for Historical Society staffers and called the Sheriff's Office.

It appears, Fitzgerald said, that the island was at some point in the past connected to the shoreline. And about a mile away, known Indian burial grounds are located.

"The whole thing is very interesting," he said. "All we know at this point is that this was someone's ancestor."

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