Two skulls found along a stream near Callaway County Road 4038 east of Jefferson City on Aug. 18 have been identified tentatively as those of Native American Indians.
Lt. Clay Chism of the Callaway County Sheriff's Office said a forensic anthropologist assisting the Boone-Callaway County Medical Examiner's Office has determined the complete skull was a female Native American, estimated to be about 20 to 25 years of age at the time of death.
The second partial skull cap could not be analyzed fully but the Medical Examiner's Office concluded that it also is believed to be of a Native American.
Both of the skulls were believed to be extremely old. Other remains found at the scene were determined to be from animals.
"Based on the Medical Examiner findings," Chism said, "no foul play in this matter is suspected."
Chism said during the last 20 years, the Sheriff's Office has responded to other calls from the Missouri River bottoms east of Jefferson City to investigate found human remains.
Chism said during the flood of 1993 there were numerous cemetery washouts upstream.
About 10 years ago, a contractor doing work on the Missouri River bottoms east of Jefferson City came upon an old Native American burial ground while digging.