She lived centuries ago, was about 40 years of age, and is believed to have been an an Indian woman, but how she got to the place where her remains were found is not known. Other mysteries also remain about the person whose remains were found last year in Capitol Reef National Park.
Park officials have been working closely with members of the Paiute Indian Tribe to determine when and where the remains will be buried, according to Lee Kreutzer, park archaeologist."If the reburial is in the park, it will be a private ceremony by the Indian people," she said. "It will be in a secluded place, without a marker, and only tribe members will know where it is."
The remains were inadvertently discovered during excavation of a parking lot at park headquarters about a year ago.
Although forensic analysis concludes that the remains are at least 500 years old, one of the mysteries is that Kreutzer discovered through a microscope that pieces of fabric were stuck to two bones. Also, other items were found at the site, like a horseshoe, a spark plug, scrap metal and plastic.
"The fabric was machine milled so it is not prehistoric and I can only guess as to how it got there," the archaeologist said. "This was an early Mormon community and, out of a sense of fairness, they (LDS representatives) were informed. They declined to place a claim (on the remains)." She said other tribes were notified about the remains, but the Paiutes were the only Indian people who were responsive.
Park officials consulted with American Indian communities in Utah and Arizona.
The remains were found during excavation for a water line, Kreutzer recalled. "We certainly didn't expect to find anything." They were not seen in place and the bones were found in dirt that had been excavated and piled by a backhoe.
"The bones were mostly sub-cranial . . . no skull or teeth . . . and most of the hand and feet bones were missing," the archaeologist added. They were mostly from the vertebra.
"Because the skull was missing, the race couldn't be identified," Kreutzer said."
After her determination of the age and sex, Kreutzer sent the remains to forensics anthropologist John McCullough at the University of Utah, who verified her conclusion.
"We have done what is required by law and beyond,," Kreutzer said. "But if anyone has any information that might lead to how it (body) got there, we would be interested to know."
Respondents may call Kreutzer or Superintendent Charles Lundy at 425-3791, ext. 100, or send information in writing, addressed to Capitol Reef National Park, Box 15, Torrey, UT 84775-9602.