A transient collecting bottles and cans found the bones at about 6 p.m. Friday in a rugged, rural area near Black and Beardsley roads and reported them to the sheriff's office.
Investigators sectioned off the area in a grid and were sifting through the top layers of earth looking for evidence, Morrissey said.
The nearby roads are mainly traveled only by residents who live along them, Morrissey said.
The bones were found away from the road near a creek. "You would never find them unless you were down there looking," Morrissey said.
The medical examiner's office will be examining the skeletal remains to see if there is any evidence of trauma.
Investigators are also working with an anthropologist to determine how long the bones have been there and the age and gender of the person at death.
Anyone with information about the remains is asked to call Detective Sergeants Leon or Baker at (408) 808-4500. For anonymous tips, call (408) 808-4537.
