Mass grave found during search for 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre victims
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) – A mass grave has been found at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa by Oklahoma State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck and her team, searching for the bodies of those killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
“We feel a high degree of confidence that this is one of those areas we have been looking for," Stackelbeck said at a Wednesday news conference.
Officials have not confirmed these remains are connected to the Race Massacre.
Archaeologists previously had identified one individual that corresponded to the four anomalies detected through geophysical survey work. From that location, archaeologists initiated excavation trenches further to the west, where they encountered additional grave shafts.
What they were finding was an indication that they discovered a mass burial site.
"A large hole that had been excavated and into which several individuals have been placed inside of coffins and buried in that location. This constitutes a mass grave," said Stackelbeck.
At this time, archaeologists can confirm the outlines of at least 11 coffins.
According to a city news release:
The area where remains were found has been previously referenced as the Original 18 site, located adjacent to two 1921 race massacre headstones in the historical African American section of the Potters Field. Funeral home records and other documents for 1921 show that at least 18 identified and unidentified African American massacre victims were buried in the City-owned cemetery.