Human remains — some intact and some badly decomposed — were uncovered nearly two weeks ago in the area where McConnell Dowell crew members are carrying out excavation work for the Leone Bridge Project.

The bones were found under the existing road, while workers were digging to install pipes for the drainage system. Samoa News understands that on Saturday, May 17th, teeth were uncovered along with evidence of old homes which stood there a century ago.

No digging occurred the following two days due to bad weather, but on Tuesday, May 20, more skeletal remains were uncovered, including what is presumed to be half a body where a wall for the trench is being built.

The very next day, on May 21, two full body skeletons were discovered. Oddly enough, the skeletal remains were buried with wine bottles which, according to a Samoa News source, coincides with the time that glass bottles first arrived in the territory.

The most recent find includes 2-3 skeletons, including hand and leg bones. There isn’t an exact figure of just how many bodies have been uncovered but a Samoa News source points out that there is a strong possibility that more bodies are in the area, as the skeletal remains that have been discovered so far are only in the areas that have been disturbed.

The remains are believed to be from the 1800s and the position of the bodies raises some curiosity. Some of the bodies were found facing towards the east where the sun rises, some were found facing west where the sun sets, and some were found facing the mountainside.

Project contractor McConnell Dowell is working with the Dept. of Public Works, an archaeologist, village officials, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Samoa News has confirmed that all the remains that were uncovered have been returned to where they were originally found.

The Leone Bridge was damaged by the deadly 2009 tsunami/earthquake that claimed the lives of nearly three dozen residents of the Territory, including several from Leone.

Work on the bridge commenced in late 2012 and the project has been ongoing, although there was a five-month halt, following the death of a McConnell Dowell worker at the site.

The tentative completion date is set for the last week of July, at which time everything including the sidewalk, the final portion of the road, and waterline should be completed, in addition to the removal of the temporary bridge.

The Leone Bridge project is funded by the Federal Highway Administration and involves a collaboration between the Civil Highway Division of Public Works and the US Army Corps of Engineers.