With exhumation of bodies possibly linked to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre set to begin June 1, it’s hard to predict how successful identification will be, a DNA expert told the project oversight committee Thursday.
“All we can do is give it a shot and see what we get,” said Robert Allen, a forensic sciences professor with Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
“We’ve worked with samples of both bones and teeth that were exposed to the elements for 20 to 30 years. That’s not 100 years, though. So we’re in an uncharted area here, at least in my own experience.
“But all we can do is try and assess the quantity and quality of DNA we recover from those remains we analyze.”
Allen spoke as part of a presentation to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Graves Investigation Public Oversight Committee at its regular monthly meeting, which was held virtually.
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He talked to the group, which is overseeing the search for unmarked burials, about how identifying human remains through DNA works, and he suggested a possible plan for moving forward.
Officials are still targeting June 1 to begin exhumation of remains at Oaklawn Cemetery, they said.
Last fall, researchers found what they said appear to be 12 badly decomposed coffins in what was once Oaklawn’s Black paupers’ field.
They are believed to contain the remains of Black men killed in the May 31-June 1 fighting.
Records indicate that at least 18 African Americans who were killed in the massacre were buried in Oaklawn.
Allen said he recommends a two-phase process once the remains are exhumed. The first phase would be to collect DNA samples from the remains and determine the samples’ integrity.
The OSU Center for Health Sciences has offered to donate its services for that initial phase, officials said.
The second phase would be to contract with a lab partner to help with identification.
City officials will conduct a bidding process to find a lab.
“I think companies are going to jump at this because of the notoriety of the project,” Allen said.
Deputy Mayor Amy Brown said the legal paperwork required for exhumation has been submitted to the state.
Also, the city received nine responses to requests for proposals for additional archaeological services, she said.
“We’ll be reviewing those responses in the coming weeks and making a selection to bring some additional manpower on board to help with this project,” Brown said.
The project will also be expanding to a second cemetery in June — Rolling Oaks Memorial Gardens in south Tulsa.
Brown said the Oklahoma Archeological Survey has set a date of June 14-16 to begin subsurface scanning there for possible unmarked graves.
Once a Blacks-only cemetery, Rolling Oaks has been suggested as a possible burial location for massacre dead.
Kavin Ross, chairman of the oversight committee, said he’s excited about the progress.
“The world is watching us, and our children are watching us,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing right now when everybody’s learning at the same time.
“And I think we are at the right place at the right time on our watch to make things happen.”
The slides and other information presented by Allen at the meeting can be found on the project website at cityoftulsa.org/1921graves.
Gallery: Mass grave found during a search for victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
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Bill White watches as crews work on a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Thursday. A mass grave was found during the excavation.
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The Rev. Dr. R.A. Goss (left) of Morningstar Baptist Church, Dr. Warren Blakney of Clergy for Spiritual Renewal and Pastor Jonathan Givens light candles at the start of the “We remember 21” candlelight ceremony at the end of a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery on Thursday. Researchers found a mass grave at the cemetery, but it will take more research to determine if the dead are race massacre victims.
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Mourners light candles at the start of the, "We remember 21" candlelight ceremony at the end of a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Researchers found a mass grave at the cemetery, but it will take more research to determine if the dead are race massacre victims. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A makeshift memorial hangs on the fence of Oaklawn Cemetery during a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. A mass grave was found at the site, but it will take more research to determine if the remains are victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Oversight Committee Member Michael Reed watches as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A sign in the foreground reads "Never forget 1921," as forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield walks to a dig site to work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. A mass grave was found during the search, but it will take more time to determine if the buried are massacre victims. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Oversight Committee Member Michael Reed watches as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum views a trench at Oaklawn Cemetery where a mass grave was discovered during the search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. It will take more research to determine whether the remains are victims of the massacre.
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Oaklawn Cemetery is seen after dark after the conclusion of an excavation in the search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Researchers found a mass grave during the search, but it will take more research to determine if the remains are victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Jan Peppler holds a candle during the, "We remember 21" candlelight ceremony at the end of a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Researchers found a mass grave at the cemetery, but it will take more research to determine if the dead are race massacre victims. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Dr. Warren Blakney(3rd from right) of Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal and others participate in the, "We remember 21" candlelight ceremony at the end of a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Researchers found a mass grave at the cemetery, but it will take more research to determine if the dead are race massacre victims. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Dr. R.A. Goss stands at the fence of Oaklawn Cemetery at the end of a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Researchers found a mass grave at the cemetery, but it will take more research to determine if the dead are race massacre victims. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon A.M.E. Church speaks at the, "We remember 21" candlelight ceremony at the end of a search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Researchers found a mass grave at the cemetery, but it will take more research to determine if the dead are race massacre victims. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Sharonde Hunter looks over a fence as workers excavate part of Oaklawn Cemetery on Wednesday in the search for remains of Black men killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon A.M.E. Church listens during a news conference where it was announced that researchers had found a mass grave at Oaklawn Cemetery during an excavation searching for victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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State archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck (right) directs Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum’s attention in October to something in a trench excavated at Oaklawn Cemetery in the search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Researchers confirmed that they found a mass grave at the site.
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The Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon A.M.E. Church pauses outside a news conference Wednesday where it was announced that researchers had found a mass grave at Oaklawn Cemetery during an excavation in the search for victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Rev. Robert Turner of Vernon A.M.E. Church listens to Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum speak during a news conference where it was announced that researchers had found a mass grave at Oaklawn Cemetery during an excavation searching for victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum speaks with state archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. On Wednesday researchers confirmed they have found a mass grave at the site. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Sharonde Hunter and her mother Shalonda Hunter look over a fence as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers watch as dirt is dumped onto a pile as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers examine an item pulled from a trench as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Crews cover up dirt to obscure the view of spectators as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Workers excavate an area where unmarked graves were found in a trench Wednesday at Oaklawn Cemetery. It is not yet known whether the graves contain the remains of people killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Sharonde Hunter takes photos as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Tiffany Taylor(left) and her daughter Ruby Taylor watch as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. The two wanted to be there to pay their respects after human remains were found on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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John Patrick Kinnear takes photos through a fence as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Tiffany Taylor(left) and her daughter Ruby Taylor watch as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. The two wanted to be there to pay their respects after human remains were found on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers look through dirt after it was dug from a trench as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers look into a trench as dirt is excavated Wednesday at Oaklawn Cemetery, where a search is being conducted for possible unmarked burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Sharonde Hunter(left) and her sister Alexis Colbert take photos as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A researcher examines an item pulled from a trench as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A researcher examines items in a pile of dirt excavated at Oaklawn Cemetery on Wednesday in the search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Flowers left by a mourner hang on a fence as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A researcher carries a bucket of items dug from a trench as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Flowers left by a mourner hang on a fence as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Jacob Gibbs(left) and Robert Cleghorn watch as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Flowers left by a mourner are affixed to a fence at Oaklawn Cemetery as dirt is excavated Wednesday in the search for remains of Black men killed in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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The Rev. Robert Turner with Vernon A.M.E Church prays as crews work on a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Tuesday. Human remains were found during Tuesday’s search.
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Workers hold up tarps to block spectators' views Tuesday during a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Workers hold up tarps to block spectators' views during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers use sifters at they search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Crews look through dirt and items pulled from the ground during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A bicyclist passes crews working on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers and work crews look at items pulled from the ground during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Bystanders watch as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. Human remains were found during the search on Tuesday. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Crews look through dirt and items pulled from the ground during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers search through dirt and items dug out Tuesday during a second test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Researchers and work crews look through dirt during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A researcher carries extra buckets to a dig site as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Crews work on a second test excavation and core sampling Tuesday in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Workers put up tarps to block spectators' views during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A researcher signals a heavy machinery operator to stop digging after items were pulled from the ground during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers and work crews look at items pulled from the ground Tuesday during a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Researchers search through dirt and items dug out during a 2nd test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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A researchers hands items out of a hole as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers examine items pulles from the ground as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Rev. Robert Turner with Vernon A.M.E Church watches as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. Human remains were found during Tuesday's search. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Workers and researchers dig in a hole with a shovel Tuesday during a second test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Human remains were found in the area.
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Researchers and work crews look at items pulled from the ground during a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers and city of Tulsa workers pray at the end of the day of a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday.
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Researchers search through dirt dug out during a second test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday.
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Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the State Medical Examiner's Office, looks at an item dug up during a 2nd test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Research assistant Betsy Warner talks with bystanders as crews work Monday at Oaklawn Cemetery.
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Crews work on a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday.
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Just behind the headstones of Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockard, researchers work on a second test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday. Everett and Lockard are known victims of the massacre.
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Bystanders watch as crews work on a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday.
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Just behind the headstones of Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockard researchers work on a 2nd test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. Everett and Lockard are known victims of the Massacre. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Just behind the headstones of Reuben Everett and Eddie Lockard, researchers work Monday on a second test excavation in the search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery. Everett and Lockard are known victims of the massacre.
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Chief Egunwale Amusan looks on as crews work on a second test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday.
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Chief Egunwale Amusan looks on as crews work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers work Monday in Oaklawn Cemetery in the ongoing search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
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Assistant state archaeologits Debra Green takes a core sample in Oaklawn Cemetery during a search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Assistant state archaeologits Debra Green studies core samples in Oaklawn Cemetery during a search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Researchers work on a 2nd test excavation and core sampling in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Just behind the headstone of Eddie Lockard, researchers work on a second test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday. Lockard is a known victim of the massacre.
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Assistant state archaeologits Debra Green studies core samples in Oaklawn Cemetery during a search for remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. MIKE SIMONS, TULSA WORLD
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Angela Berg, a forensic anthropologist with the state Medical Examiner's Office, photographs an item dug up during a second test excavation in the search for remains at Oaklawn Cemetery from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on Monday.
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Tim Stanley
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I'm a general assignment reporter and the writer behind the award-winning "World War II Veterans Remember" series and book. Phone: 918-581-8385
