Tucson Prehistoric Human Bones Discovery Sheds Light on Ancient Population
TUCSON, AZ – A construction crew unearthed a cache of prehistoric human bones at a development site in northern Tucson on Wednesday, prompting a full-scale archaeological investigation.
What: The discovery involves multiple human skeletal remains, estimated to be over 1,500 years old, found approximately six feet below ground level.
Who: Archaeologists from the University of Arizona and the Tohono O’odham Nation are leading the excavation and analysis.
Where: The site is located near the intersection of West Ina Road and North Thornydale Road, in a residential development area within Pima County.
When: The remains were discovered at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
Why: Officials state the find is critical for understanding pre-Columbian burial practices and migration patterns in the Sonoran Desert region. The Tucson prehistoric human bones could provide DNA evidence linking modern Native American tribes to ancient peoples. The area has been sealed off, and construction is halted pending a full survey.