Bones may be buried in state park

Wednesday, March 8th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Springdale-AP) -- A Quapaw tribe member says human bones believed to be centuries-old remains of American Indians will likely be buried at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park.

The bones were found Saturday in a cave by two hikers in southwest Washington County. Patricia Murphy, director of historical and museum resources at the park, says it was designated last fall as a burial place for the remains of American Indians accidentally unearthed or recovered from private collections.

The park is located just southeast of Little Rock near Scott. Carrie Wilson, Quapaw tribe spokeswoman, says elders of the tribe, now based in northeastern Oklahoma, will conduct a private ceremony at the graves. She said yesterday she will invite officials from the Cherokee Nation and Caddo tribes to participate in the ceremony, although no date has been set yet.