Hurricane Nicole Exposes Native American Burial Ground in Florida

Locals discovered six human skulls on a Hutchinson Island beach before tipping off authorities.

Florida residents have made a peculiar discovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Nicole, which battered the Sunshine State earlier this week.

According to local media reports, human bones were found sticking out of the ground at Hutchinson Island, with authorities suggesting that the remains likely originate from a burial ground of an indigenous tribe called Ais.

Martin County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Budensiek told reporters that beachgoers encountered "an old human skull and then some arm and leg bones”, and that the bones seem to be over 200 years old. A total of six human skulls have been found in total.

The authorities reportedly identified the site as a Native American burial site and therefore refrained from disturbing it.

The newly discovered bones are now expected to be sent to the Bureau of Archaeological Research of the Florida Department of State for analysis, Budensiek informed.

He also mentioned that this was not the first time they had a such situation at the site in question, with one US media outlet noting that beach erosion caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 resulted in Native American bones likewise being unearthed. In 2012, the remains were eventually reburied with proper rites.