About 900 years before American Fork was founded, a Fremont Indian woman's skeleton was washed down what was a river into what is now the south side of the city.

Her remains were unearthed Aug. 21 as contractors excavated for a water line in a subdivision at 275 W. 200 South. They found the skull and approximately 65 percent of the skeleton, plus some pottery shards.

The remains are now at the Utah Division of State History, in the antiquities or archeology section. After study, they will be returned to a related modern-day Indian tribe for burial.

Ron Rood, the Assistant State Archeologist for Utah, said his initial assessment was that it was from a Fremont Indian.

"We also found in the vicinity a few pieces of Fremont cultural pottery," Rood said. "It dates to about 900 to 1,000 years ago. I believe the skeleton dates to that same time period."

"The preliminary analysis suggests it is an adult female," he said. "She died roughly 1,000 years ago."

Rood explained the state Department of Archeology investigates any remains found in a similar manner.

"It is a big part of my job to respond to sites where people have found human remains," he said. "That includes construction sites or people out hiking.

"First of all we determine whether it is a modern crime victim or an ancient skeleton. It depends a lot on the contest of the discovery, and what is with the bones."

He cited the example of a skeleton being found with modern clothing, which places it in a certain time period.

Rood said he analyzed the skull to determine its origin.

"By looking at the skull you can often tell if a person was an anglo or a Native American," he said. "That is done by the shape. Also the teeth are somewhat different."

He said over the last four or five years, there have been about 10 or 12 such finds a year across the state.

"People have lived in Utah for the last 11,000 years," he said.

When the contractors discovered it, they halted work immediately and called the police department.

Chris Chijester, an employee with Advanced Construction, had been shoveling loose dirt out of a five-foot trench when he noticed the skull. The police sealed off the site and called the Utah State Medical Examiner and the Utah State Archeologist and both offices sent representatives to the site.

"Mr. Rood stated this was a significant find and was appreciative of the Advanced Construction crew who were conscientious enough to notify the proper authorities," said American Fork Police Chief Lance Call.