Baker Lake (Sep 27/04) - The mystery and intrigue surrounding the discovery of a locked trunk at a grave site outside Baker Lake has finally been solved.

The trunk contained the remains of a child, believed to have died about 50 to 70 years ago, according to the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth for Nunavut.

Dr. Douglas Stenton, the director of culture and heritage, along with Baker Lake residents Roy Aavaala and Darryl Simailak, inspected the trunk Sept. 2. The box was first discovered in 2003.

After removing the rocks that covered the tongue and groove wooden trunk, they were hoping to be able to look at the contents without disturbing them, said Stenton.

That wasn't possible. Two boards on the top of the trunk came off rather easily and allowed the men to view the contents.

"The box itself is weathered and not in the best condition. The top of the box just came off. We could see right in from there," said Stenton from his office in Iqaluit.

Its contents were left undisturbed and the rocks replaced over the box after the discovery.

While the trunk was in an area at the east end of Baker Lake that contained other graves, the contents were still surprising, he said.

Stone caches and other materials like barrel hoops, stovepipes, wood and metal were also found at the site.

The artifacts were left undisturbed for now, while the department starts collaboration with the community of Baker Lake concerning the find.

"If it turned out to be human remains, the plan was always to leave them there," said Stenton.

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"We'll be in contact with the community and inquire whether their interests lie in doing additional work with the site," he said.

A representative from Baker Lake wasn't available for comment at press time.