A two-year-old boy has unearthed human bones on Saunton Sands beach in North Devon, with experts believing they belong to a shipwrecked sailor. The discovery was made on October 11 while the toddler, Lake, was digging in the sand with his mother, Gabrielle Prentice.
Initially thought to be animal remains, the bones were later identified as human after Ms Prentice sent photos to her sister, a trainee orthodontist. The family promptly contacted Devon and Cornwall Police, who attended the scene and secured the area.
Stephen Reed, Principal Historic Environment Officer at Devon County Council, stated that the remains are historic and likely represent a burial site for a shipwrecked sailor. He said: 'The human remains found on Saunton Sands are historic and most likely represent the site of a shipwrecked sailor burial on the beach.'
The bones are now being examined by an archaeological contractor. Over the coming months, analysis will determine the individual's sex, age, and any evidence of disease, while chemical testing may reveal whether the person was local to North Devon or from elsewhere.
Ms Prentice described the moment of discovery: 'We were on the beach having an afternoon eating chips and letting my two-year-old, Lake, have a dig around. Almost immediately, he found a bone.' She added that her son, who enjoys playing pirates and treasure hunts, now feels like a 'real-life pirate'.
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the bones were handed to the local authority after investigation. A force spokesperson said: 'The bones have been confirmed as being historic and the matter has been left in the hands of the local authority.'
