Skull found in ceiling may have been used in rituals

A human skull found in an old Goshen home may have been used by a men's group for ritualistic initiations of new members during the 19th century.

The University of Indianapolis Archaeology and Forensics Laboratory analyzed the skull, which fell during January renovation work from the ceiling of a home built about 1840.

The lab's report said the skull showed signs that it had been burned on the bottom, suggesting that it was used near candles and in rituals. The report said the skull may have been used as a teaching or museum specimen for many decades, or have been part of a personal collection.

It is believed to have been that of a woman older than 50 of Siberian, Polynesian or Native American descent.