| News - Friday, November 11, 2011
Workers dig up Native America skull
by Daniel DeBolt
Construction workers happened on what is believed to be a 100-year-old Native American skull while working on a housing development at the corner of Calderon and Evelyn avenues a few weeks ago.
City officials say that developer Classic Communities had to halt work on the 65-home project within 50 feet of the skull, which was found under the basement of the Abate home on Calderon Avenue.
The coroner's office determined that it was at least 100 years old and Native American, so the police didn't waste much time investigating possible murder. Still, there's only suspicion as to why it was there. Apparently, some still wonder if it was murder.
"What happened to the rest of the body is what I wondered," said Mayor Jac Siegel.
State law requires that a member of a local Native American community be contacted when such remains are found, said Community Development Director Randy Tsuda. The person contacted was Andrew Galvin, an East Bay resident and representative of the Ohlone tribe.
Developer Scott Ward reportedly told the Old Mountain Neighborhood Association's vice chair Robert Cox that a few additional bones were found with holes drilled in them. "It was most likely a skeleton used for lessons on human anatomy. Still, we paid a fee for a proper burial of the remains, and will remain mindful of what we have found as we excavate the rest of the property."
Email Daniel DeBolt at ddebolt@mv-voice.com | 
Send this story
Print this story
