A human skull found outside an abandoned hotel in Bolton is most likely that of a male, investigators have said.
The remains are likely to be less than 50 years old, however the age of the deceased person is not yet known, police said.
How the person died remains unclear.
Further DNA assessments are due to take place following the preliminary results from forensic officers.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say there is still no evidence to suggest the discovery of human remains is linked to any other investigation.
No arrests have been made.
A GMP spokesperson said: “Police investigating the discovery of human remains in Egerton, Bolton, in the early hours of Monday 1 March have received preliminary results from forensic officers.
“The results suggest that the skull is less than 50 years old and is most likely to be that of a male.
“Further DNA assessments are to take place next week and updates will be provided in due course.
“The circumstances remain unclear and there is no evidence to suggest at this time that this is linked to any other investigation.
“Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made.
“There is no additional information at this time.”
The skull was discovered outside a former hotel in Egerton, just after midnight on Monday (March 1).
Police were called to a report of a suspicious item being found off Blackburn Road at around 12.35am.
Officers attended and found what they described as “possible human remains” in the undergrowth outside the hotel.
A cordon was put in place and police were alerted and a search of the undergrowth surrounding the derelict hotel continued for several days.
Specialist officers scoured the area for any further evidence.
In the hours after the discovery, Detective Inspector Debbie Hurst, of Bolton CID, said there is no wider threat to the public.
“This was a very surprising discovery made in the early hours of Monday morning and we have been working ever since to establish the circumstances here,” she said.
“What we do know is that the item found has been confirmed to be a human skull, but it is still unknown how old the skull is and how long it has been at the location for.
“These enquiries by specialist forensic officers are ongoing and will be determined in due course.
“By the very nature of this discovery, we do understand some concern in the community and of course the sheer intrigue that this investigation brings with it.
"However we are confident that there is no threat to the public and that this isn’t currently linked to any other ongoing investigations.
“We are keen to establish the facts as soon as we can but the work that is ongoing must be conducted thoroughly and properly before we get to that stage.
“If anyone has any information about this discovery that could aid our enquiries we ask that they make contact with police.”
