Week one of mass graves search ends, new discovery found
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Friday, researchers wrapped up week one of the search for mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
They had only found a few artifacts until Friday when they found a new clue.
Brenda Alford is the 1921 Graves Committee Chair.
"I know it seems like we are coming up dry every day," Alford said.
This week there wasn't much evidence to show except a few minor artifacts.
Robert Turner, pastor at Vernon AME Church, has visited the search site each day.
“We found a bullet casing we found a stove door we found animal bones we found nails things of that sort," Turner said.
Until today, when researchers said they discovered a road buried feet under the ground that could be from the early to mid-1900s.
“We’re finding information and clues that basically tell us stories," Alford said.
This information could lead to how much further researchers would need to dig.
Kary Stackelbeck is a state archaeologist.
“One reason that’s critical for us is because anything that is underneath that road surface would predate that road surface," Stackelbeck said.
Mayor G.T. Bynum said he's hopeful after this week and that it's just the start of a multi-year project.
“Even if we had found human remains at this site we would still be moving forward with the investigations and test excavations at the other locations," Bynum said.
But what would hope be, without a little faith? Pastor Turner says he prays every day he visits the site.
“I pray and watch and observe," Turner said, "You have folks 99 years ago that just went missing and They have never been found and the city they lived in and paid taxes to never looked for them right and they actually hid them intentionally and so I really hope they find the bodies.”
The research team said they're taking the weekend off to recoup from the heat, but Monday will do more soil testing, should they find any indication of bodies, that could lead them to the missing remains.