Ancient Elk Bones Returned To Michigan Museum After 32 Years

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - An ancient elk's skull and antlers that were found and stolen in Woodhull Township more than 30 years ago have been returned.

The Argus-Press reports that an anonymous person who says the items were taken from the site gave them to the Michigan State University Museum last month.

Thirty-two years ago, Anderson Peat Co. employee Lee Williams found the elk parts while digging in a peat bog. When researchers from the museum came to excavate the site, the items had been stolen.

Museum experts tested the newly recovered elk parts, compared them with other bones found at the peat bog and confirmed that the items came from the site. They're believed to be more than 5,000 years old.

Museum Director Lora Helou says the museum would like display the relics if they're donated by landowners.
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