Archeologists Obtain More Samples For DNA Extraction At Oaklawn Cemetery

Archeologists working to find victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery said they collected more remains for DNA samples Thursday, from individuals found in a mass grave last summer.

The lab working with the DNA, Intermountain Forensics, said it only has two samples it feels confident about from last summer, of the 14 sets of remains it received.

"We went back to seven individuals to obtain additional samples,” State archeologist Dr. Kary Stackelbeck said.

Those samples came from individuals who were found last summer, and revisited now for the purpose of extracting more DNA.

After scientists got everything they needed out of the ground and put it in the onsite forensic lab, they gathered for a memorial service before the remains were reburied.

A local pastor, a descendent of survivors, and Phil Armstrong with Greenwood Rising were all among the group.

Now that work is done in that specific area, Stackelbeck explained what will happen next.

"First we will start by expanding to the area west of where Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockhart's gravestones were located and a little bit to the north. And to the north of where we left off last year,” she said.

After that, there will be more work to do, and these new expanded locations are expected to keep the team busy for several weeks.

"Once we get that block opened up then we will open up our excavation block south of where our gunshot victim was found, burial 27, was found on the southern edge of our excavation block from last year,” she said.

More archeologists are planning to arrive next week. It will be the same team that helped out last year.