Jawbone at least 100 years old

SILVER SPRINGS - A human jawbone found hanging on a fence in Weeks is at least 100 years old, a forensic pathologist has determined.

Lyon County Sheriff's Department Sgt. John Arndell said an archaeologist out of Fallon Tuesday determined the bone to be "of European origin over 100 years old."

"It is definitely not Native American," Arndell said.

Authorities were called out to the home of a park ranger Saturday after he discovered the jawbone hanging from barbed wire in a Ziploc bag.

"We are currently working with the parks department to try to determine where the bone came from. We believe it washed down from somewhere," he said.

Investigators wish to speak with whoever left the bone hanging on the fence.

Investigator Rob Hall said Monday he believed the person who left the bone didn't know what else to do with it.

"We think it came from somebody that wanted to to the right thing, but didn't want to get involved," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at (775) 577-5026.