Historical human bones discovered in Manitoba date back to the 1840s, according to archeological experts.
In October, human remains, including a skull, were discovered along the bank of the Red River in East Selkirk.
After an investigation carried out by the province’s Historic Resources Branch they determined the remains were indigenous and pre-dated Canada as country.
The discovery does not come as a surprise. Fraser Stewart, a local historian, told CTV Winnipeg remains have been found in the area dating back more than a thousand years.
He said it's possible the person may have succumbed to illness; during that time, people were buried near the spot they died.
“It was probably a traveller,” Wendy Serger, the church manager of St. Peter, Dynevor – western Canada’s oldest indigenous church – told CTV Winnipeg.
Serger believes that if the remains had belonged to a local they would have been buried in the church’s cemetery, where tombstones date as far back as 1846.
She theorized that the person may have followed the Red River up from North or South Dakota.
The remains were exposed on Oct. 22 because of the eroding river bank.
“We can see river levels going up two to three feet almost overnight because of the speed of the drainage, water coming down the river. Years ago that would of course all be held back,” said Stewart.
After discovering the remains the province worked with the local indigenous communities and held a private ceremony where the remains were re-buried.
With a report from CTV Winnipeg’s Beth Macdonell
