Need some information from those with experience and expertise in excavating
historical cemeteries. Some friends of mine have organized a group to
purchase two lots of land from a property owner that contain an unmarked
cemetery believed to be St. Antoine's Catholic Cemetery (ca. 1788-1850) in
Monroe, Michigan. The cemetery was encountered during a Phase I
archaeological survey by a contract archaeology firm. The firm was attempting
to define or locate the boundaries of the cemetery. They encountered some 45
graves outlines or stains of coffins in clay subsoil. The graves were not
excavated, but reburied for completion of a technical report of findings to
the property owner and city officials to make management decisions as to what
to do with the unexpected cemetery. If the survey cemetery is indeed St.
Antoine's Cemetery, historical sources suggest there is between 500-700
settlers (French & English) buried at the site. The property owner does not
want to pay for additional survey and test excavations of the cemetery. The
city claims it has no responsibility for removal and reburial of the graves.

My question is this. The foundation of local residents and ancestors of those
believed to be buried at the site are planning to purchase the lots that the
exposed graves are on, but want to make sure what they purchase contains the
entire cemetery. What method or course of action can they pursue to define
the boundaries of the cemetery? Are there other methods than a field crew
working to locate the boundaries through survey, test units, and careful
bulldozing of the upper levels of the soil to expose are large areas that
would reveal graves. Someone advised them that satellite photography would
provide them with the needed info and it would be much cheaper. If any one
can provide information it would greatly be appreciated. My e-mail for those
who want to talk off-line is "[log in to unmask]".

Pat Tucker
Laboratory of Archaeology
The University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio