Human remains found at City Hall

The discovery may not delay the project but a very specific process must be followed in accordance with state and federal laws regarding Native American burial sites.

The bones were discovered by construction crews a few weeks ago and are now waiting to be re-interred. Laws regulating the handling of Native American artifacts required the city to notify the San Mateo County coroner, who determined the bones likely belonged to one or more members of the tribe. After the discovery, the coroner had 24 hours to contact the California Native American Heritage Commission. The commission appointed the most likely descendent to oversee the care of the bones.

"Our archeologist and the most likely descendent are looking at the bones that have been found," said Rich. "What will be done with them has not been decided yet," said Rich.

The Ohlone Indians were prevalent in the Bay Area and the San Francisco Peninsula before it was settled in the 1800s. The city hired an archeologist when construction began in November because Native American bones and artifacts have turned up in Belmont before.

Bones were first found at 1070 Sixth St. during construction of City Hall in the 1980s. In 1987, during construction of the Twin Pines Senior Center at 1223 Ralston Ave., a much larger amount of bones and artifacts were discovered. The findings included a collection of acorns that were the main food staple of the tribe.

Plans have been underway for more than a year to move the Police Department out of its current "temporary" facility into a larger and seismically safe building. Construction of the new City Hall and Police Department is expected to last 14 months.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.