An investigation is underway after human remains were found Sunday in an east Birmingham drainage ditch.

A passerby made the discovery at 11:26 a.m. in the 8400 block of Seventh Avenue South. That location is in a neighborhood.

The remains – decomposed and skeletonized – were recovered from a large pile of household rubbish, said Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates.

Authorities have not yet been able to determine the age, race or gender of the remains.

The cause of death and positive identification is pending additional analysis, Yates said.

The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.