1921 Graves Investigation Update - August 2

1. Home
2. Press Room
3. 1921 Graves Investigation Update - August 2

This week, field experts worked to continue the fourth round of excavations at Oaklawn Cemetery as part of the City's 1921 Graves Investigation.

So far, three sets of remains have been exhumed and taken to the on-site osteology lab for forensic analysis. All exhumed remains were found in adult-sized wooden caskets near the area of Burial 3 - a known Tulsa Race Massacre victim (C. L. Daniel or possibly his brother). Two of the exhumations were located just to the west of Burial 3, and the third was found to the south of Burial 3 under the former oak tree.

Today, as crews were working to exhume the set of remains underneath the former oak tree, archaeologists found a bullet with the remains. This discovery marks the third confirmed gunshot victim in the City's yearslong search.

Since the start of the fourth excavation last week, an additional 40 graves have been exposed that were not previously found. Hand excavations, in addition to excavations in the bigger excavation block, are expected to continue next week. Additional work will continue to help determine which exposed burials are candidates for exhumation.

For more information about the 1921 Graves Investigation and to read more about the DNA and genealogical work being conducted by Intermountain Forensics, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/1921graves.