Archaeologists began widening their test site in Oaklawn Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon as they searched for clues to the location of unmarked burials from Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre.
“We cannot always know what we are going to find,” State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck said during a noon briefing. “We have not yet discovered victims.”
That had not changed three hours later, when the crew working in the west end of Oaklawn Cemetery shut down for the day.
By then the city track hoe crew working with the archaeologists had extended one corner of the original 10-foot-by-20-foot test site another 3 or 4 feet with a maximum depth of about 8 feet.
The plan Wednesday is to continue extending a leg southward as archeologists try to decipher strata of soil that seems to have been added sometime in the past 100 years.
The test site near a grove of crepe myrtles along the cemetery’s west fence was chosen because of a combination of subsurface scanning, burial records, news reports and oral histories.
Part of that oral history is that an Oaklawn sexton had the crepe myrtles planted decades ago to mark the spot where tradition held that people killed in the May 31-June 1, 1921, massacre had been buried.
Scientists using multiple subsurface scanning devices identified an anomaly in the ground at the top of a rise on what is essentially the cemetery’s westernmost row. That area is believed to have been used as a pauper’s field in the early 1920s.
Few graves are marked, and none are known to exist at the test site, which is notable because the cemetery has been essentially full for decades.
In two days of excavation, the archaeologists have indeed found an anomaly — signs that the first 8 feet or more of soil has been torn up and topped with “fill,” but the anomaly has not produced any signs of human remains.
Workers did discover a smattering of unrelated artifacts, including a shell casing and some animal bones.
Those findings momentarily halted work a little after 9 a.m., but Stackelbeck said the archaeological team is satisfied that the artifacts are unrelated to the race massacre.
The test site is one of dozens identified by research and oral tradition over the years, with locations ranging from other spots within Oaklawn to other area cemeteries to coal mines to far-flung fields.
Even as the crew worked Monday and Tuesday, a handful of people stopped by to voice opinions on where researchers should be looking, including under the Inner Dispersal Loop a few yards away and the bed of the Verdigris River.
Investigators have identified what they believe are a few of the most likely spots, including the current location and others just west of downtown and in far south Tulsa.
It is unclear how much longer the team will continue to work on the current test site. Originally, plans called for three to six days.
Gallery: Test excavations in Tulsa Race Massacre mass graves search
Gallery: Digging continues Tuesday for Tulsa Race Massacre mass graves at Oaklawn Cemetery
MASSACRE DIG
Researchers and City of Tulsa employees look through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. At bottom left are the head stones of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett, known victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Debra Green, Assistant State Archaeologist, studies core samples at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Forensic anthropologists Phoebe Stubblefield(left) and Angela Berg look at found items on a tray at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Debra Green, Assistant State Archaeologist, studies core samples at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Core samples are taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Tulsa Massacre Mass Graves
Teran Tease, 5, watches at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Tuesday. Mike Simons/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Angela Berg (left), forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, and Chief Amusan look through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Forensic Anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield looks through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
A city of Tulsa employee hands forensic anthropologist Angela Berg a bottle found at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
A City of Tulsa employee works in the back of a truck as dirt is dumped into it at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck(left) and forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield talk at the head stones of Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockard at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Everett and Lockard are known victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Angela Berg (left), forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, and Chief Amusan look through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Terry Baccus watches at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
A City of Tulsa employee works at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Forensic Anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield pulls an item out of dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck holds a found item at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Researchers and City of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
City of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Researchers and City of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Terry Baccus watches as researchers and city of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Angela Berg (left), forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, and Chief Amusan look through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Researchers and City of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Angela Berg (left), forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner’s Office, and Chief Amusan look at an item pulled from the dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Chief Amusan takes a break from searching through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
MASSACRE DIG
Chief Amusan takes a break from searching through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Debra Green, Assistant State Archaeologist, studies core samples at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Core samples are taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Core samples are taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A core sample is taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A City of Tulsa employee works in the back of a truck as dirt is dumped into it at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A sign sits on the edge of a trench at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Core samples are taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
The headstones of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett are seen(bottom) as core samples are taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. Lockard and Everett are known victims of the massacre.MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon AME Church clutches a fence as he prays at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Debra Green, Assistant State Archaeologist, studies core samples at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
City of Tulsa employees are framed by crepe myrtles as they search through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
The headstones of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett are seen(bottom) as core samples are taken at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. Lockard and Everett are known victims of the massacre.MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
City of Tulsa employees are framed by crepe myrtles as they search through dirt at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Core samples are studied at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Dirt is hauled off in a truck at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Debra Green, Assistant State Archaeologist, studies core samples at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, July 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
J. Kavin Ross is framed by a crepe myrtle as he takes photos at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
J. Kavin Ross is framed by a crepe myrtle as he watches at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
John Patrick Kinnear takes photos up against the fence at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
J. Kavin Ross takes photos at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Forensic Anthropologist for the State Medical Examiner’s Office Angela Berg(left), State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck and Tulsa Police Homicide Detective Jason White talk at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020 . MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Found items are stacked at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020 . MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and City of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Scott Hammerstedt uses scanning equipment at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Scott Hammerstedt uses scanning equipment at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Worldz
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Brenda Alford holds soil near the site of a dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Brenda Alford holds soil near the site of a dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Brenda Alford views soil near the site of a dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
The graves of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett are seen(bottom left) at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. Everett and Lockard are known victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Senior researcher Scott Hammerstedt and State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Senior researcher Scott Hammerstedt and State Archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck work at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Friday, July 17, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and city of Tulsa employees work at Oaklawn Cemetery on Friday during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
â€(TM)The graves of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett are seen at bottom left as a search for mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre continues July 17, 2020. Lockard and Everett are known victims of the massacre. ‬ MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Mayor G.T. Bynum tours the dig site at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Mayor G.T. Bynum talks with state archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Pancho Lopes watches as work takes place at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
091520-tul-nws-gravescommittee-p1
Historian Scott Ellsworth (left) and Assistant State Archaeologist Debra Green view on July 16 the graves of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett, who were both killed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the massacre.
Mike Simons, Tulsa World
Mass graves search
Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield carries items dug up at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner’s Office, views an item dug up at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner’s Office, works at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
The site at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Mayor G.T. Bynum views items that were dug up at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Mayor G.T. Bynum views items that were dug up at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation Thursday in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Mayor G.T. Bynum views items that were dug up at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the state Medical Examiner’s Office, views items dug up at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Mayor G.T. Bynum talks with state archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A researcher takes a measurement at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A researcher takes a measurement at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and City of Tulsa employees watch as dirt is dumped into a truck after being dug out of a hole at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Historian Scott Ellsworth and Assistant State Archaeologist Debra Green look at graves at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Historian Scott Ellsworth and Assistant State Archaeologist Debra Green view the graves of Eddie Lockard and Reuben Everett, who were both killed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the massacre Thursday, July 16, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and City of Tulsa workers pause for a prayer and moment of silence before working on a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 15, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Crystal Z. Campbell watches researchers and City of Tulsa workers at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the state Medical Examiner’s Office, works at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield looks into a dig site at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Arhaeologist Greg Maggard inspects scrapes away dirt with a trowel at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and City of Tulsa workers pause for a prayer and moment of silence Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Glenn Brown rides his bicycle past a site at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Glenn Brown rides his bicycle past a site at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A City of Tulsa worker inspects dirt as it is dumped into a truck at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Historian Scott Ellsworth speaks to bystanders at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, has her temperature taken before working at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A researcher examines an item shortly after a shell casing and possible bone were found at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, talks to bystanders while working at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
A City of Tulsa worker inspects dirt as it is dumped into a truck at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Jacob Gibbs watches as researchers and City of Tulsa workers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Jacob Gibbs watches as Researchers and City of Tulsa workers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Historian Scott Ellsworth speaks to bystanders at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
MIKE SIMONS,Tulsa World
Mass graves search
Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, works at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Workers bow their heads for a moment of silence and prayer shortly after a rifle shell casing and bones — later determined to be animal bones — were found at Oaklawn Cemetery on Tuesday during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers remove an item shortly after a shell casing and possible bone were found at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and city of Tulsa workers are led in prayer by Brenda Alford shortly after a rifle shell casing and possible bone were found Tuesday at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Both items were determined later to be unrelated to the massacre search. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Archaeologist Greg maggard works on a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 14, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Arena Mueller holds flowers and watches researchers an City of Tulsa workers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Archaeologist Greg Maggard inspects an item found while digging at Oaklawn Cemetery in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and city of Tulsa workers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Flowers left by an observer lie near the site at Oaklawn Cemetery where workers searched for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Jacob Gibbs(left) and Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon AME pray as researchers and City of Tulsa workers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers and city of Tulsa workers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation Monday in the search for unmarked burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Crews dug a 10-foot-by-20-foot area to a depth of about 3 feet and then dug a trench to more than 7 feet across the middle. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Jacob Gibbs (left) and the Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon AME Church pray at the fence surrounding Oaklawn Cemetery as researchers and city workers search for unmarked burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
The Rev. Robert Turner (left) of Vernon AME Church and Darrin Cravens watch the test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery on Monday during the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
The Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon AME Church holds dirt from the excavation site at Oaklawn Cemetery during the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Crystal Z. Campbell watches as researchers do a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Crystal Z. Campbell watches as researchers do a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Tameka Colbert watches as researchers do a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Tameka Colbert and Patrick Cooper watch as researchers do a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Tameka Colbert and Patrick Cooper hold onto the fence surrounding Oaklawn Cemetery as researchers do a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Dirt is dumped into a truck at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield (left) and other researchers view an item pulled from the ground at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Lincoln Cochran watches and films while City of Tulsa wokers and researchers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
City of Tulsa workers and researchers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Workers and researchers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
City of Tulsa workers and researchers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery as a test excavation starts in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
City of Tulsa workers and researchers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Workers and researchers dig at Oaklawn Cemetery during a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers work on a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers work on a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers wipe dirt from an item uncovered from fill material during a test excavation at Oaklawn Cemetery on Monday in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The team encountered what appeared to be the door to a boiler in the excavation. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Researchers at Oaklawn Cemetery prepare to start a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
John Patrick Kinnear burns sage at Oaklawn Cemetery as workers set up for a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
John Patrick Kinnear burns sage at Oaklawn Cemetery as workers set up for a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Michael Reed views Oaklawn Cemetery prior to work beginning of a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Heavy equipment is moved into position at Oaklawn Cemetery to be used in a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Workers move equipment into position at Oaklawn Cemetery for a test excavation in the search for possible mass graves from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Michael Reed observes Oaklawn Cemetery ahead of a planned test excavation in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mass graves search
Researchers prepare at Oaklawn Cemetery ahead of a planned test excavation in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
Michael Reed observes Oaklawn Cemetery ahead of a planned test excavation in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
John Patrick Kinnear burns sage at Oaklawn Cemetery ahead of a planned test excavation in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
Mass graves search
John Patrick Kinnear burns sage at Oaklawn Cemetery ahead of a planned test excavation in a search for a possible mass burial site from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre July 13, 2020. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa Word
Mike Simons
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