The particular one I am referencing (but not identifying as there are many
which were treated the same way) appeared to be disturbed on the surface for
about one to two foot in depth, but then appeared as if the operator knew
where the shaft was and followed the outline of the old shaft down to the
coffin or vault and removed what they could.  I would suspect that any
coffins that were inside of vaults were removed essentially intact (the
vaults collapse as well), but simple coffin burials or coffins with shaft
liners were generally shredded during removal.  One participant in a public
meeting at another location told me he was on the construction crew hired to
remove burials and simply described as a bucket scoop on some burials,
leaving behind most of the burial, and placing any maker on the truck for
transport to the new site.

Stephen P. Austin




-----Original Message-----
From: Diane Houdek [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 4:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: unmarked cemetery question


Mr. Austin,

You don't get clean grave edges that way though do you? I mean you don't
have the distinct outlines that indicate undisturbed soil?

Diane

>>> "Austin, Stephen P SWF" <[log in to unmask]> 09/13 4:05
PM >>>
While on the other side, I have seen removed cemeteries where bits of bone,
coffin wood, and hardware were scattered throughout the former cemetery.

....

Stephen P. Austin


-----Original Message-----
From: Diane Houdek [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2000 3:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: unmarked cemetery question


Kris,

It depends on preservation, but a disinterred cemetary shouldn't have wood
and bone fragments in your test pits.  I know that sounds obvious, but if
you have a good bulldozer operator who can scrape the ground in thin 1/4
inch layers you'll see outlines of the grave shafts or pull up bits on
coffin hardware and coffin wood if the graves haven't been moved.  If they
have, you'll probably find very indistinct grave edges.  I dealt with a
supposedly disinterred cemetary (it definitely wasn't) where all the
headstones had been removed, but the graves were still there underneath the
plow zone.

Diane Houdek
[log in to unmask]