24 additional bodies found during 1921 Graves Investigation

(TULSA, Okla.) Excavation work continues following a week’s worth of work at Oaklawn Cemetery in the City of Tulsa’s second full excavation at the site.  

Since last Wednesday, 24 burials have been found. Work continues with hand excavation of four burials in the western block. One burial from that block, which was buried in a simple coffin, was exhumed this afternoon and taken to the on-site osteology lab for further analysis.  

Hand excavation is important as crews work to determine which graves meet the criteria for exhumation. Details like coffin type, gender, etc. have yet to be determined for the majority of the burials so far.  

Work also continues with excavation in the southern block. Three additional graves consisting of child-size burials (ages unknown) were discovered earlier this week. 

Experts continue to be narrowly focused on which graves will be exhumed and no child-size burials will be exhumed.  

Crews are also working strategically with the anticipation of rain forecast on Friday.  

For more information on the 1921 Graves Investigation, and to see photos and videos from this year’s excavation, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/1921Graves.  

Updates from Kary Stackelbeck, State Archaeologist of the State of Oklahoma, can be found on the 1921 Graves Facebook page @1921Graves