The skeletal stays of a human physique have been discovered within an outdated corroded barrel close to the shores of Nevada’s Lake Mead over the weekend, as an ongoing drought sends water ranges to troubling lows. Items discovered contained in the barrel counsel this individual, whose identification is unknown, could have died within the Nineteen Eighties, the Associated Press reports.

Las Vegas police plan to seek the advice of specialists on the University of Nevada in hopes of discovering out when the barrel started to erode, in keeping with the AP. Officers on the case did not share particulars in regards to the gadgets within the barrel or a potential reason behind loss of life, KLAS-TV reports.

What is now a “beach” part alongside the lake the place the barrel was found was once lined by a number of dozen ft of water just a few many years in the past. Crew members working on the Hemenway Harbor boat ramp close to the stays have needed to prolong the ramp lots of of ft over the years to maintain up with the dwindling water ranges, in keeping with KLAS-TV.

Lake Mead is likely one of the nation’s largest water reservoirs, alongside Lake Powell. Both are being affected by the megadrought throughout the American Southwest. More than half of the nation is anticipated to expertise some type of drought circumstances this spring and summer time. As these historic dry circumstances proceed, it’s seemingly that Lake Mead extra beforehand sunken gadgets—and maybe human stays—will emerge from the receding waters.