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 an American Indian diet, leaving archaeologists little doubt the skull belonged to someone of American Indian origin.

A sample from the skull was sent Tuesday 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 American Indian 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 gentlemen'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 American Indian 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 American Indian 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.

cmayorga@sltrib.com

Roofers working on a home near 200 West and 100 South in Tooele found a skull June 23 between a wall and the point of the roof where the eaves meet. It was missing its lower jaw, but authorities searched the property and found no other remains.

Paul and Karen Dupaix have owned the home for the past eight years and say they bought the circa 1910 home from the late Rex Stutznegger, known as one of Tooele's first dentists, and his wife, Helen. The couple had lived there for about 65 years, and police say they are trying to contact surviving family members.