Archaeologists Find Several Burials Under Removed Tree At Oaklawn

Archeologists found several grave shafts under the oak tree that was recently removed in the search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. 

This week part of the team is working to excavate by hand to get a closer look at burials exposed last week. The other part of the team is still using the backhoe to look at other areas.

State Archaeologist Dr. Kary Stackelbeck said they have exposed at least three, possibly four burials, several feet beneath where the oak tree was. She said the goal this week is to determine if those meet their criteria to be removed from the ground.

"We do anticipate that we will have some individuals that will go through the process of like full excavation and exhumation. And once those individuals are exhumed, they will be removed as we have done in the past; and carefully brought out and placed in a box and then that box will then be carried to our forensic lab," Stackelbeck said. 

The cemetery is closed to the public while this work is done. The city expects it will wrap up by the end of next week.