New South Wales police who asked New Zealand scientists to analyse samples from a human skull found on a Sydney beach have been told it is an astonishing 700 years old, but not of Aboriginal origin.
The radiocarbon-dating carried out by Waikato University showed the skull dates from around 1300AD -- about the time New Zealand was settled by Maori.
Anthropologists ruled out the possibility of it being an indigenous skull, but its age predates European arrival on the east coast by 500 years.
NSW police have issued a statement appealing for anyone with knowledge of the skull to contact them.
But police have been unable to explain how the skull ended up near the high tide mark of Mona Vale Beach on September 12, where it was discovered by early morning swimmers.
Police have ruled out foul play.
