Ironton police said a set of skeletal remains were discovered within city limits Friday evening.

According to detective Joe Ross, a man and his grandson discovered the bones at about 5:30 p.m., while walking on the riverbank near a coal tipple on the south end of town.

Ross said police were not able to get an idea of gender or age from the remains, but he estimated they came from an adult.

He said there were enough bones found to identify the remains as human, but no other artifacts, such as clothing have been found.

Police were not able to estimate how long the remains had been at the site, though Ross said he suspects they had been there for “quite a while.”

The remains are currently in the custody of the coroner and Ross said he hopes that dental records and possible DNA extraction will yield the identity of the person.

“We’ve contacted agencies up and down the river to see if anyone is missing or if anyone was swept away by floodwater,” Ross said.

Ross said that anyone with information should contact him at 740-532-5606.