Border Patrol agents discover ancient artifacts in Arizona

U.S. Border Patrol agents in Arizona have discovered a pair of ancient artifacts while making their rounds—two pieces of Native American pottery that could be up to 1,000 years old.

One piece appears to be fully intact while the other was part of a larger piece of pottery.

The Border Patrol agents found the pottery in the Patagonia Mountains in southern Arizona, according to the Arizona Family website.

The U.S. Customers and Border Protection office said that both items were made of clay and seem to be "weathered." The pieces were given to the U.S. Forest Service, which studied the pieces to authenticate them.

The Associated Press reports that Border Patrol agents receive training on cultural and environmental stewardship and occasionally come across Native American artifacts.