Officers were called to Poplar Avenue, Horwich, this afternoon and a cordon is in place.
Investigations are in their early stages and police stress they are not ruling out that the discovery could be that of animal remains — and that they are keeping an open mind.
In a statement police said: "Shortly before 4pm today, officers were called to reports of possible body parts having been found near to Poplar Avenue, Bolton
"Officers and forensics experts have so far been unable to confirm the origin of the discovery, but we cannot rule out that they are possibly those of an animal and are keeping an open mind as further expert opinion into the matter is sought from pathologists.