Remains uncovered at Oaklawn Cemetery possibly linked to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre could eventually be reburied at alternative sites, depending on what members of an oversight committee decide.
The committee overseeing the city’s race massacre graves investigation met virtually with city officials Thursday in part to approve a reburial plan, a legal requirement before remains can be exhumed.
But concerns about reburial at Oaklawn, where possible massacre participants are also buried, led the committee to agree to form a smaller group to review other options.
Committee member Chief Egunwale Amusan said he’s talked to others with missing relatives from the massacre, and he said they would have no desire to have them reburied at Oaklawn.
“I doubt that people who are of Jewish descent would want to be buried in the same cemetery as Hitler. And we know Tate Brady is also buried in Oaklawn Cemetery. We know he was a Klansman, that he participated in the massacre,” Amusan said.
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“Why would we even consider placing these people there? It’s like placing the murderer next to the victim.”
Committee member Robert Turner, pastor of Vernon AME Church, has suggested some of his church’s property as a possible site for reburial and will join Amusan and others to look at options, which they will report on at the next committee meeting in February.
To rebury remains in a cemetery other than Oaklawn or to have private property converted for use as a cemetery would be a lengthier, more complicated process, city officials said.
Project archeologists uncovered at least 12 sets of remains at Oaklawn in October and evidence of three more possible coffins. The remains were covered back up until a legally authorized exhumation can be arranged.
Whether the burials are associated with the 1921 massacre is not certain. But researchers think it is likely, given the manner of burial and records indicating that 18 Black men killed in the massacre were buried in the general location being searched.
After remains found at Oaklawn are exhumed, they will undergo DNA testing to attempt to identify them and find next of kin.
Project officials want to get the reburial plan done so they can proceed with the next phase of the work this summer.
“We’re actually looking at needing to add an additional 10 archeologists and some other people to the team to do this next excavation,” Tulsa Deputy Mayor Amy Brown said. “If we are able to start this summer in June, when academic institutions are on their summer break, our personnel availability is a lot different than if we miss the window of opportunity.”
The project team previously said it is targeting an area near the cemetery’s southwest corner for the next excavation.
Given the area’s size, 1,410 square feet, and the previous pattern of burials, the team is estimating for planning purposes that more than 30 sets of remains may be interred at the site.
Featured video: Researchers discover human remains in unmarked grave at Oaklawn Cemetery
Researchers discover human remains in unmarked grave at Oaklawn Cemetery; further examination needed to determine Tulsa Race Massacre connection
October 2020 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.
