Two young brothers’ innocent playtime near a creek in South Carolina took a dark turn when they stumbled upon what has now become the focus of a death investigation: a human skull along with numerous bones.

The unsettling find prompted a swift response from Anderson County deputies after the boys’ mother called authorities around noon on Sunday, reporting her children’s discovery of what appeared to be human remains in the area.

During an interview with Fox Carolina, the boys, Benson and Colton Saxon, recounted their experience, detailing how they noticed something protruding from the earth while they were playing.

“I dug it up, thinking it was just a rock,” Benson Saxon recounted, his tone still tinged with disbelief.

Investigators have since been meticulously examining the creek and surrounding culvert where the bones were unearthed. (Source: Anderson County Office of the Coroner)

However, once turned over, it became evident to his brother that this was no ordinary find.

Colton Saxon said they saw what appeared to be eye sockets in the object, prompting them to bring it home to their parents.

Their mother, Megan Saxon, initially believed the children had found animal bones.

An Anderson County Sheriff’s Office official examines what was confirmed to be a human skull recovered near a creek. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)

“I honestly thought that they had found an animal one. I did not think that it was human at all,” she told Fox Carolina.

However, after taking a closer look and noticing what appeared to be bone marrow, she called 911.

Deputies, detectives, forensic investigators and the coroner’s office responded, launching an extensive search of the area.

The coroner later confirmed the skull was human.

A search of the area led investigators to uncover roughly 45 to 50 additional bones believed to belong to one person.

Officials said the remains appear “pretty weathered,” suggesting they are not recent and may be at least a decade old.

Investigators sift through soil as they search for additional human remains at the scene. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)

“I want to say that these remains are probably ten-plus years because of the roots that were around the bones and things like that,” the coroner said, cautioning the estimate is preliminary, according to Fox Carolina.

The remains are believed to belong to a person between the ages of 15 and 25 and may have been carried downstream by the creek, according to WSPA.

Heavy equipment is brought in as crews expand the search for additional remains. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)

Authorities noted there were no visible fractures on the skull and said it remains too early to determine whether foul play was involved.

An identity has not yet been released.

Investigators examine a creek bank where a human skull was discovered, prompting a death investigation. (Anderson County Office of the Coroner)

Officials are working with an anthropologist, cadaver dogs and additional law enforcement resources as the investigation continues.

Law enforcement sources told Fox News Digital the remains are believed to belong to one person, though the skeleton is incomplete.

The Anderson County Coroner’s Office and sheriff’s office continue to investigate.

Fox News Digital reached out to the coroner’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.