People harvesting wild rice in Minnesota's third-largest lake stumbled upon the remains of a human skeleton believed to be hundreds of years old.
Authorities believe erosion caused at least three bodies to surface on the shore of Leech Lake, where they were discovered Saturday.
The lake, which covers more than 100,000 acres, is located primarily within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in the north-central part of the state.
Several tribes live in the area, most recently the Leech Lake Ojibwe, and remains are regularly found in the area, said Ken Washington, the tribe's police chief.
“It appears this way due to natural erosion from water washing up against the shoreline,” he said.
Cass County Sheriff Brian Welk said rice harvesters found a body on land and reported the incident.
Harvesters typically use push poles or paddled canoes to gather the rice, which is considered spiritually, culturally, nutritionally and economically important to Ojibwe, Dakota and other tribal communities, according to the state Department of Natural Resources.
Law enforcement officers responded to the scene, determined the remains were ancient and contacted the Leech Lake Archaeological Program, which conducts archaeological research in the area.
In a joint statement, tribal and county law enforcement agencies said they had also asked the Minnesota Council on Indian Affairs for assistance in dealing with the remains in a “culturally appropriate manner.”
Welk said in an interview that ruins are being unearthed not only by erosion but also by construction work.
“It happens a few times a year, but sometimes it happens every few years,” Welk said. “It just depends on the circumstances.”
Authorities urged people to contact police if they come across what appear to be human remains and to avoid disturbing the scene.
“Doing so will preserve important evidence and maintain respect for those who were here before us,” the statement said.
