Human remains found at church west of Beatrice
Members of a church west of Beatrice found part of a human skull on the church grounds Thursday.
Deputies and investigators responded to the site at the Mennonite Church at 6714 West Highway 4 east of Homestead National Historical Park, where the church members showed them what appeared to be the top of a skull in the ground.
After excavating around it, they were able to unearth the partial skull; nothing else was found with it.
The Sheriff's Office consulted with an archaeologist from the Nebraska State Historical Society, who tentatively identified the item as part of a human skull.
It is not believed to be part of any open or active cases, but was brought to the surface by nearby tree roots. The remains will be turned over to the state historical society for identification, possible Native American ties and burial.
