Human bones found in a local state park last month have been determined to be those of two Native American individuals buried between 100 and 700 years ago.

The bones were found Jan. 23 in Bald Eagle State Park, about 40 minutes from Penn State. Although the discovery sparked discussion that the bones may have belonged to past high-profile disappearances, including former Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar and Penn State student Cindy Song, authorities were quickly able to determine the bones were much older.

The bones were sent to forensic anthropologist Dennis Dirkmaat, of Mercyhurst College in Erie, for analysis.

The bones and bone fragments belonged to two separate sets of bones found close together, Centre County Coronor Scott Sayers said yesterday. The first set of bones belonged to a juvenile, younger than 20, but the sex could not be determined.

The second set of bones belonged to an adult, Sayers said. The sex of the adult bones could not be determined either.

"The condition and color of the remains suggest a prehistoric Native American individual," he said.

Finding two separate sets of bones close together does not mean they are connected or that the area might have been a gravesite, Sayers added.

The bones were found in what was termed a "bundle burial," where the bones were probably discovered after decomposition had begun, then reburied. Although there is no clear association between the two burials, the depth, relative position and coloration of the bones suggest a "contemporary emplacement."