Auction of skull found at Gettysburg cancelled
Grave markers line Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa. A skull, presumably that of a Civil War soldier, had been set for auction. After protests, the remains will be authenticated then buried in the cemetery. (AP file photo/Matt Rourke)
The planned auction of a skull, presumably that of a Civil War soldier, found at Gettysburg has been cancelled following protests, and officials say the remains have now been donated for burial with honors.
Estate Auction Co. of Hershey had listed the skull for sale at auction Tuesday in Hagerstown, Maryland. That drew protests from the U.S. Park Service in Gettysburg and many other people.
Gettysburg National Military Park and the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation announced Tuesday that the remains had been donated by the auction company late Monday. After authentication, they are to be buried at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery at Gettysburg with full military honors.
The auctioneer said earlier that the remains were found in 1949 as a garden was being tilled on the Benner Farm in Gettysburg.
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