The three bone fragments, along with an old makeup container, some glass bottles and shells that were cut open were found on a deserted island that lay along the route Earhart was taking. Scientists at the University of Oklahoma hope to extract DNA from the bones to prove Earhart died as a castaway after crashing her plane.
The bones were found near a hollowed out turtle shell leading some to believe the shell was used by a human to collect rain water. Excavation crews believe the site where they were found may have been used as a campsite because of the number of fish and bird bones found there.
It could take months before DNA test results are confirmed.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
