Scott Hammerstedt and Amanda Regnier of the University of Oklahoma have found evidence of a potential mass grave from the 1921 race riot in Tusla.
What We Know:
- The researchers conducted an archeological survey in different areas of the city including Oaklawn Cemetery, The Canes, and Newblock Park. The Canes and sections of Oaklawn Cemetery showed signs of being a mass burial site.
- The 1921 race riot in Tulsa resulted in hundreds of casualties. It is believed that thousands of white Tulsans participated in the burning, looting, and murder of black Greenwood residents. 35 city blocks were burned, 300 were killed and 800 more were injured in the riot according to the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum.
- Using ground-penetrating radar technology, Hammerstedt and Regnier found large plots that they believe were dug by humans. Tulsa’s Mayor, G.T. Bynum, plans to protect the area until further research can be conducted on the site. He stated the plan includes, “First, identifying if there are mass graves at all. And if there are, identifying what kind of mass grave it is. Is it a pauper’s grave, or is it a true mass grave from the massacre? And third, if it is a mass grave from the massacre, then we want to do the forensic examination on the bodies that are there to hopefully identify them and their causes of death.”
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates.
