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NT human skull from historic burial site

By AAP Newswire

Oct 6, 2022

NT human skull from historic burial site — Skeletal remains found near Katherine, NT, are from a historic Indigenous burial ground, police say. -AAP Image

A human skull and other skeletal remains discovered in the Northern Territory are from a historic Indigenous burial ground, police say.

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A member of the public found the bones late on Tuesday near the town of Katherine, about 320 kilometres south of Darwin.

Police declared a crime scene at the site and specialist teams were called to investigate, including the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority and heritage officers.

"Investigations indicate these remains derive from a historic traditional burial, and as such our role can be concluded," Acting Commander Kirsten Engels said on Thursday.

It was the second set of bones found in the Top End in a week.

A bushwalker and his dog found another human skull and other skeletal remains while hiking through bush on Darwin's outskirts a week earlier.

Police also set up a crime scene at the site near Lee Point Beach, about 20km north of Darwin.

A forensic pathologist working with police reported no signs of trauma on the bones, with the cold case and missing persons units continuing to investigate the find.