Can You Help Identify These Vertebrae? HUMAN???

[juthale]

My wife found these three vertebrae while walking on a Pacific Ocean beach in Washington state. They are likely from a marine mammal, but are disturbingly close to human vertebra in size. If you have expertise in human or marine mammal skeletal structures, please take a look and let me know what you think.

THANKS!

juthale

[plasmodesmata11]

facstaff.bloomu.edu/ccorbin/Badolato.ppt
that might help... they do look similar to human lumbars

[juthale]

Wow. Interesting. Who would have thought you would find something comparing the vertebrae of dolphins, seals and humans? Nice find!

At least from those photos, they certainly do not look similar to the dolphin or seal. We've taken the bones to a forensics teacher at my son's high school. If we learn anything, I will let you know.

Thanks!

[plasmodesmata11]

glad i could help!
yeah, i'm curious as to what they are, so if you find out anytrhing, i'd be delighted to know!