A truck-load of military ordnance dropped off at the Whitehorse landfill Tuesday has unleashed an investigation.

After the RCMP were notified, the Department of National Defence (DND) was sent to the scene to take photos for evidence.

RCMP officers cordoned off a portion of the landfill, and the area remains closed.

DND is still unsure if the material is just shells and casings, or if there is any explosive material involved.

Lt. Navy Paul Pendergast, from the Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife, spoke to the Star this morning.

He said at this point, all officials can call the evidence is "munitions-type material”.

Pendergast said specialists in Esquimalt, B.C. have been sent the photos and they will decide later today if members from their team need to come to Whitehorse to examine the evidence.

"When we determine what the material is, or whether it's explosive, we will dispose of it appropriately,” he said.

Pendergast said it may be safe to keep in the dump, and if not, the specialized team have the equipment and skills to dispose of the material safely.

Where the material came from in the first place is still unknown.