Indy DPW archaeological consultant, Stantec, has notified Indy DPW that the archaeological excavation of the Henry Street right of way is now complete. Since October 2024, approximately 100 Stantec professionals worked at the site at various times, carefully removing the contents of 1,709 grave shafts,* the majority of which contained human remains.
Stantec began excavation for the Henry Street Bridge Project on the east side of the White River in October 2024 after receiving approval for its Archaeological Investigation Workplan in September 2024. The Archaeological Workplan defined the process of identifying, documenting, removing and analyzing the individuals who were interred in the portion of Greenlawn Cemetery, specifically in the Original Burying Ground and New Burying Ground, impacted by the project. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) oversaw and provided guidance during the excavation process in accordance with Indiana law.
“Stantec professionals worked tirelessly for nearly a year, excavating the 1.5-acre site by hand through both freezing temperatures and sweltering heat,” Todd Wilson, Indy DPW Director, said. “They encountered far more grave shafts than we anticipated, and we are thankful for their commitment to excavating the site carefully and respectfully.”
As the human remains were excavated, Stantec photographed and documented them, as well as grave markers and other artifacts found in or near the grave shafts. Human remains are now in Dr. Jeremy Wilson’s lab at Indiana University -Indianapolis for analysis. While still early in the process, Dr. Wilson is creating profiles for excavated individuals, which includes approximate age at death, sex, stature, biogeographic ancestry, and physical conditions occurring or before death. While Dr. Wilson is analyzing the individuals, Stantec will continue researching and documenting material culture.
“The analysis of the artifacts coupled with archaeological, genealogical, and osteological data, will bring us closer to identifying and honoring those buried at Greenlawn before their reinterment,” says Ryan Peterson, an archaeologist on the Stantec team.
Once inventory and analysis is complete, human remains and all burial objects and associated items will be stored in a safe and secure facility until proper reinterment in an appropriately dedicated cemetery. All artifacts will be reburied with the individual with whom they were found.
Indy DPW will continue sharing Stantec’s research findings and analysis as it becomes available and in alignment with the reporting procedures regulated by the SHPO.
*The City is unable to share the number of individuals uncovered until osteological research is completed. Please note that “grave shaft” does not mean the Minimum Number of Individuals, or MNI. Determining the MNI requires additional research and analysis.