by MANDI JOHNSON

Sounder/Weekly reporter

Bones were discovered on the beach on Lopez Island on Wednesday, Jan. 20. According to San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs, it is unclear whether the bones belonged to a human or an animal.

A deputy was dispatched to the beach in response to the discovery. The bones will be sent to the state anthropologist where they will be analyzed and determined as to whether they are of human origin and how old they are. Sheriff Krebs indicated that it is a possibility they are ancient Native American bones, which would require the sheriff’s office to turn them to one of the local tribes for proper handling.

The bones were located on a part of the beach not regularly accessible, even during low tide. Last week, however, the islands saw tides decrease more than a foot below the average low tide mark. This minus tide, as it is called, exposed a larger part of the beach which is typically below water.