Update (10 a.m. Thursday): Test excavation and core sampling efforts are expected to conclude Thursday, Oct. 22.
An update is planned for 2:30 p.m. Thursday.
Ten badly decayed coffins apparently laid in pairs in a trench decades ago have been found in Oaklawn Cemetery, officials said Wednesday.
A research team searching for unmarked burials from Tulsa’s 1921 Race Massacre said the discovery is consistent with reports that 18 Black men killed on May 31-June 1, 1921, were buried in Oaklawn.
The researchers said the arrangement of the coffins meets the definition of a mass grave, although they can’t say for certain that the burials are connected to the massacre.
And it might be awhile before they can.
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That’s because the coffins and what little the researchers have seen of the remains inside are in such poor condition that they can’t be fully examined without being removed, and removal will require some legal work and careful planning.
It was unclear when an exhumation might occur.
“When you go to remove something like this, you only get one chance,” said forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield in commenting on the fragility of the find.
Another factor is weather. With Friday expected to be wet and cold and with similar weather continuing next week, State Archeologist Kary Stackelbeck said the research team intends to document the discovery the best it can and then cover it back up until the remains can be exhumed.
“We have not done anything to expose the remains other than those that have been encountered through the process of the initial excavation,” Stackelbeck said Wednesday afternoon. “We are intentionally leaving these in place and not ... exposing them to the elements.”
Stackelbeck said the condition of the bones that have been examined, the high clay content of the soil and the fragility of the coffins complicate excavation.
“Our original expectation was that as we encountered human remains, we would leave the bones pedestaled, resting on a small piece of dirt,” Stackelbeck said. “Knowing what we now know, ... we do not feel it is appropriate to expose those bones. Instead, we believe it is most appropriate to defer that to a point in time when we are prepared for an exhumation.”
When that will be and what will be required were unclear Wednesday.
In the meantime, the team plans to further explore the area in the southwest corner of the cemetery for further burials.
Stackelbeck and historian Scott Ellsworth said Wednesday’s discovery is not inconsistent with funeral home and newspaper reports that 18 Black men killed in the massacre were buried in Oaklawn. Those reports do not say where the men were buried, although a June 3, 1921, Tulsa World story says they were buried “separately and in plain caskets.”
Likewise, Stackelbeck and Ellsworth said, it’s possible that the remains are of massacre victims other than the 18 — or people buried in that unusual fashion for some other reason.
Officials said they are uncertain whether an individual grave uncovered Monday and Tuesday only a few feet way is related to the trench burials. Stubblefield said a few elements of the single burial differ from the others, but she did not elaborate.
The excavation site is in a section of the cemetery known as an early potter’s field reserved mostly or entirely for African Americans. It includes what are believed to be several unmarked burial sites, although records are scant to nonexistent.
The location was thought to be a likely place because of two headstones in the area bearing the names of two men listed among the “original 18” who reportedly were buried in Oaklawn. It is unclear whether the other graves were ever marked.
Mayor G.T. Bynum, who ordered the search for unmarked burial places, said at a Wednesday afternoon news conference: “We have a lot of work to do to determine the nature of (this) mass grave and who is buried in it, but what we can say is that we have a mass grave in Oaklawn Cemetery where we have no record of anyone being buried.”
Video: Researchers discover remains at Oaklawn Cemetery in search for 1921 Race Massacre burials
Researchers discover human remains in unmarked grave at Oaklawn Cemetery; further examination needed to determine Tulsa Race Massacre connection
Gallery: Mass grave found during a search for victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
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.
