Apparent human skull found at Oakland homeless camp

Oakland police question a homeless man found in possession of an apparent skull at an encampment at 7th and Castro streets on Jan. 8, 2015 Oakland police question a homeless man found in possession of an apparent skull at an encampment at 7th and Castro streets on Jan. 8, 2015 Photo: Henry K. Lee Photo: Henry K. Lee Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Apparent human skull found at Oakland homeless camp 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

The discovery of an apparent human skull on Thursday brought Oakland police and the California Highway Patrol to a homeless encampment underneath a freeway.

The incident was reported about 1 p.m. when police and Caltrans crews were clearing the encampment near Seventh and Castro streets underneath Interstate 980.

A man came from inside his tent with the skull, prompting police to question him. A freshly dug hole was nearby.

The man shooed away reporters, declining to discuss the skull or give his name.

Officers put up crime scene tape at the camp. Authorities have contacted the Alameda County coroner’s office to help determine if the skull in fact is human — and where it came from.

Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee