Archaeologists expand search at Oaklawn Cemetery for further Tulsa Race Massacre victims, initiating a new phase of excavation. Discoveries will contribute to the city’s ‘Road to Repair’ initiative.
TULSA, Okla. –
City officials and archaeologists plan to focus on two newly identified areas along the cemetery’s western edge, where evidence suggests additional remains may be located.
Expanded Search Areas
The Oklahoma Archaeological Survey recently recommended broadening the search following findings from last year’s dig. The previous phase uncovered four more individuals with gunshot wounds, bringing the total to six confirmed gunshot victims in that section of Oaklawn.
RELATED: New Tulsa Race Massacre victim identified in Oaklawn Cemetery mass grave research efforts
So far, two victims have been identified—James Goings and C.L. Daniel. A third man, George Melvin Gillispie, has been identified through DNA testing, though researchers have not yet confirmed whether he died in the massacre.
Cemetery Closed During Excavation
Oaklawn Cemetery will remain closed to the public throughout the four-week excavation, weather permitting. City officials say safety and preservation are top priorities as crews carefully excavate the new areas.
Community Involvement
The city is inviting community members, including descendants and residents from Greenwood and Tulsa, to take part in parts of the project.
Genealogy workshops are also planned for Nov. 7 and 8 to help families trace their ancestry and connect with the ongoing research.
City Officials to Provide Updates
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and field experts will hold a news conference Monday at noon at City Hall to discuss the project’s scope and community involvement.
The briefing will stream live on the 1921 Graves Facebook page.
Part of the ‘Road to Repair’
The excavation is part of Mayor Nichols’ broader “Road to Repair” initiative, which includes the $105 million Greenwood Trust—aimed at supporting housing, education, and cultural preservation in North Tulsa and the Greenwood District.
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