Since the discovery of the human remains, ground-penetrating radar has indicated more "anomalies" underneath the asphalt, indicating there were likely more bodies in what Tremaine said could be an unmarked cemetery.
She said archaeologists will do more excavation at the site to try to find more remains and artifacts.
She believes the remains found last week are those of a young man who probably died sometime between 1839 and 1849, when the rush for gold got into full swing after it was discovered at Sutter's mill about 30 miles to the east.
The remains are being studied in Tremaine's laboratory. Researchers hope to discover more about the area's early settlers' lifestyle, eating habits and health — "a slice of what their life and times were," Tremaine said.
Within months of the discovery of gold at Sutter's lumber mill in Coloma in 1848, thousands of gold-seekers from around the globe converged on Northern California. Some historians call it the greatest human migration in American history.
California became an American state in 1850 and Sacramento its capital four years later.
Larry Maas, an assistant administrator at Sutter Medical Center, said the discovery is not expected to delay construction, which is slated to be completed in 2010. But he said the hospital, which is also named for the historical site, wants to ensure that any artifacts are carefully preserved.
"This is a very busy intersection, not an appropriate site for anybody to be buried," Maas said.
