Archaeology and Historic Cemeteries, Gwinnet and Fayette Counties

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the ways in which archaeology has been and can be applied to the study of historic cemeteries. The potential contributions discussed include: pure research; the use of archaeology during the discovery process for legal actions; as a means to identify cemetery boundaries; and the manner in which archaeology can contribute when cemeteries have to be moved. The pure research applications of archaeology that are discussed in this paper are primarily restricted to methods of dating graves based on coffin shapes and a preliminary seriation of coffin hardware. Historic cemeteries are briefly discussed as sources of social data. Case studies of two current cemetery litigations, the Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery and the Drennan Family Cemetery, are presented as a means of illustrating the manner in which archaeology can contribute to the discovery process in such legal actions. Both cemetery cases are still under litigation, and the discussions of those cases are restricted to information that is already a part of the public record. The use of archaeology to identify cemetery boundaries is discussed. This discussion includes a consideration of the specific methods of exploration that can be used, and suggests that archaeological excavation can be used to identify the number and distribution of graves within a given cemetery in preparation for either preservation of the cemetery or relocating the graves. The paper concludes with a discussion of means by which archaeology can contribute to moving cemeteries when they cannot be preserved in place. It is suggested that a professional archaeologist be included on any cemetery removal team so that it can be assured that all graves are indeed moved and that each grave is moved in a sensitive and comprehensive manner.