A pair of shoes recovered more than 10 feet below ground has caused some excitement among researchers at Oaklawn Cemetery, State Archeologist Kary Stackelbeck said Tuesday.
“We encountered some shoes that were actually different than we had found elsewhere in the excavation process,” said Stackelbeck. “We found a pair of shoes that appeared to have been laid on this surface. That was quite different than what we were seeing elsewhere. Context is everything, so that was a really good find.”
The “surface” to which Stackelbeck referred is the top of a strata the archeologists believe may have existed at the time of Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre. After seven days of excavating, the crew thinks it may have established a baseline for its search for unmarked burials from the most violent episode in the city’s history.
This particular discovery attracted attention because shoes placed on top of graves or coffin lids is a practice sometimes associated with African American burials.
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The shoes and a decorative pail found with them have been kept from public view but a glimpse of them suggests something of indeterminate age and manufacture. Stacklebeck said the shoes will be examined by an expert in the field in the next few days.
In any event, Stackelbeck and her crew interpreted the artifacts and a change in soil as a sign they had likely reached what would have been ground level 100 years ago.
So, at the south end of the long, narrow and deep “Trench B,” a wide ramplike “Trench C” was dug on Tuesday.
This allowed workers to drive a backhoe into the hole and further excavate the junction of the two trenches where the shoes and pail were found.
By Tuesday evening, the backhoe had reached 15 feet or more and struck bedrock, Stackelbeck said in her daily summary.
The digging produced several artifacts, including what appeared to be vintage bottles, glassware and at least one vase, as well as at least one more shoe. But there were no human remains.
Over the next few days, Stackelbeck said, the plan is to extend Trench C eastward a short distance to the vicinity of some known grave sites. The objective is to either find burials from 1921 in this section on the west edge of Oaklawn or definitively exclude it.
Stories of unmarked burials of people killed May 31-June 1, 1921, have circulated since the very day of the event. Many locations for these burials have been suggested but none has ever been found.
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Gallery: Digging continues Tuesday for Tulsa Race Massacre mass graves at Oaklawn Cemetery
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES
Randy Krehbiel
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randy.krehbiel
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Twitter: @rkrehbiel
Randy Krehbiel
Tulsa World Staff Writer
