Ron Rood of the Division of State History said the broad shape of the skull and the grit left on the teeth are consistent with a Native American diet, leaving archeologists little doubt the skull belonged to someone of Native American origin.
A sample from the skull was sent today to a radiocarbon laboratory in Florida, which within about 45 days will determine when the woman died, Rood said.
Some preserved hair and flesh remain on the skull, but that is not uncommon when human remains are found in dry climates, Rood said. He speculated the skull was once buried, although it is relatively free of dirt.
"It looks to me that it had been cleaned off," he said.
When Native American remains are found, state law requires the seven tribal governments in Utah be notified for possible repatriation. Rood has contacted the Utah Division of Indian Affairs, and tribal governments will have the opportunity to claim the remains once lab results show how old the skull is.
"There is sort of a gentleman's agreement that if bones are found in a tribe's aboriginal area, that tribe has the first claim on the remains," said Bruce Perry, current chair of the Utah Tribal Leaders Association.
Perry said remains are found regularly in Utah, most often on archaeological digs. But builders also often encounter Native American remains during construction of housing and retail in newly developing areas.
If none of the tribes claim the skull, it will be placed in a special state burial vault specifically set aside for Native American remains, said Rebecca Nelson, research analyst for the Utah Division of Indian Affairs.
"The tribes have asked that the remains be blessed and that's something we can easily accommodate," she said.
