Human remains found in Sharpsburg confirmed to be indigenous peoples burial site
Human remains found in Sharpsburg about two weeks ago were located on a burial site for indigenous people, the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office announced Friday.
The human remains were found June 21 on private property along Short Canal Street, where Peoples Natural Gas Co. crews were digging for a pipeline extension project.
Once the Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the bones were human, staff reached out to an anthropologic and archaeologic expert for consultation, who determined the bones where on a burial site for indigenous people.
County officials said proper parties have been contacted and the remains will be released to their descendants for repatriation.
The Medical Examiner’s Office and Allegheny County Police, which originally were called to investigate, consider the matter resolved and the case closed.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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