Archeologists in Tulsa, Oklahoma, looking for victims of the 1921 massacre said on Wednesday they’ve uncovered more than 10 coffins in what they believe is a mass grave.
The grave was found at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa, and the New York Times reported records and research suggested that as many as 18 victims would be found. The process of digging the graves out and finding out who the people in them are is expected to be a slow and careful process to avoid deterioration.
According to Kary Stackelbeck, a state archaeologist, the remains will stay in place until they can be exhumed properly.
“We have a high degree of confidence that this is one of the locations we were looking for,” Stackelbeck told the Times. “But we have to remain cautious because we have not done anything to expose the human remains beyond those that have been encountered.”
Investigators have not confirmed if any of the remains belong to people who died in the incident. Brenda Alford, a descendant of survivors of the race massacre, told CNN that she was very pleased with the progress of the search.