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National

Human skull, bones discovered in Katherine 'derive from a historic traditional burial', police say

Days after a human skull and skeletal remains were discovered on the outskirts of Katherine, Northern Territory Police have concluded their investigation.

Police say they worked closely with heritage officers and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority this week to determine where the bones came from.

"Investigations indicate these remains derive from a historic traditional burial," Acting Commander Kirsten Engels said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

She said the revelation concluded NT Police's role in the investigation.

The remains were uncovered by members of the public about 15 kilometres north of Katherine on Tuesday afternoon.

A crime scene was established, but the exact location of the remains was not disclosed.

NT Police say they will not be releasing any further information about the location of the burial site.

Another investigation into a human skull and a "large number" of bones, found by a bushwalker near a Darwin beach last week, are ongoing.

A crime scene was established near Lee Point Beach and forensics teams and an archaeology expert were brought in.

At a press conference in Darwin on Friday, Acting Superintendent Karl Day said there was "no indication of trauma" to the skull and that it was too early "to give an accurate estimation other than the fact that it is skeletal remains".

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