A human skull found washed up on Gisborne's city beach at the weekend is believed to be pre-European, police say.
The skull was found by people walking on Waikanae Beach near Grey Street, less than a kilometre from the city centre.
"The people who found it left it where it was and immediately called police," said Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott this morning.
"It has the appearance of being pre-European and at some point the age of the skull will be confirmed by a pathologist."
Det Snr Sgt Scott said police would speak to iwi about the appropriate way to handle the remains.
