Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the discovery of a human skull found in Valparaiso. The skull was uncovered by the Precision Pipeline Company during their excavation work late Monday morning.

Pipeline contractors immediately ceased operations and contacted the Porter County Sheriff’s Department to investigate the discovery. Sheriff’s detectives processed the scene, but did not locate any other remains at this time.

After reviewing digital photographs of the skull, Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Stephen Nawrocki from the University of Indianapolis, said he believed the skull to be of a pre-1940 origin. Indiana Conservation Officers took custody of the remains and instructed the Precision Pipeline Company to cease excavation where the skull was uncovered.

The DNR Historical Preservation and Archaeology Division will be analyzing the remains to determine the age and origin of the skull.