FAYETTE COUNTY, Ind. (WKRC) – A human skull discovered on a riverbank in Indiana has been determined to be from 2,300 B.C., the coroner confirmed.
Fayette County Coroner Eddie Richardson announced in a statement to social media Monday that a significant historical finding on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Human remains discovered earlier this year on the bank of the Whitewater River have been dated to approximately 4,270 years ago, around 2300 B.C.
The remains, a portion of a human skull, were found on June 2, 2025, and reported to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department.
Dr. Krista Latham from the University of Indianapolis Human Identification Center and the University of Georgia conducted the analysis, confirming the antiquity of the discovery. Coroner Richardson emphasized the importance of community vigilance and professional collaboration, commending the landowner for promptly reporting the find.
“This discovery underscores the importance of our community’s vigilance and the necessity of professional collaboration. I want to commend the landowner for their responsible action in immediately reporting the finding,” Richardson said.
As the community observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Richardson highlighted the significance of the discovery as a reminder of the long history of Native American presence in the area. The Coroner’s Office is collaborating with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to determine the next steps for repatriation and site management, ensuring the remains are handled with respect and according to cultural and legal standards.
