A rock hunter discovered a human skull Sunday inside a cave near Needles Peak in southern Carbon County, touching off a mystery and a law enforcement investigation.

Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken said in a statement Monday that deputies were led by the rockhound to a small cave where the skull was located.

“The skull was largely intact and positively identified as human,” Bakken said, adding that personnel from the Carbon County Coroner's Office also responded.

No other remains or items related to the skull were found in the cave or surrounding area.

The skull appears to be 40 to 50 years old or older, possibly dating back as far as the 1800s, the sheriff's office reports.

Bakken could not be reached for further comment Monday about whether the skull appeared to be that of a man or

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