Human Remains In Sweetwater County Found To Be Prehistoric

Human remains found in the Sand Dunes north of Rock Springs have been identified as prehistoric.

According to Sweetwater County Sheriff Rich Haskell and County Coroner Dale Majhanovich, John Vase and his daughter Linzy Vase of Rock Springs were pre-season scouting for deer about 3½ miles generally west of Essex Mountain on Sunday when they came across what appeared to be two human bones. They notified county authorities, who recovered the remains.

At Majhanovich’s request, the bones were examined by Professor Charlie Love, retired Professor of Anthropology and Geology at Western Wyoming Community College, who confirmed them to be prehistoric femur and pelvic bones from a male Native American.

The remains have been sent to the University of Wyoming, where they will undergo further examination. As the remains are prehistoric and were found on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, that agency is normally notified, but the local BLM office is closed due to the current federal government shutdown. Officials said the BLM will be contacted when the Rock Springs office reopens.