On November 17, 2015 workers encountered human skeletal remains on the University of Georgia campus during construction of an addition to Baldwin Hall. In accordance with OCGA 31-21-6(b), all ground disturbing activity on the site immediately ceased. The State Archaeologist then asked the University to propose a plan of action that would comply with OCGA 31-21-6(b) and thus allow construction work to resume.
The University engaged SAS to carry out that approved plan, which involved the excavation of the disturbed human remains (a grave) and the exploration in the near vicinity for more possible graves. The exhumation of the grave occurred on November 20, 2015. On November 21 more graves were detected and a program of systematic exploration for even more graves and the careful exhumation of those identified in the immediate construction area ensued. Rachel Black, a cemetery/burial specialist, requested that a comprehensive plan for the overall project site be developed as soon as more GPR survey work could be completed. The comprehensive plan was developed in several drafts beginning in late November 2015, with the final draft dated February 3, 2016 (see Attachment).
The present document is the confirmation by the University of Georgia and Southeastern Archeological Services that we have completed the exploration for all graves within the active construction area of Phase 1a (blue area in attached Map 1 as revised on February 17) and that we have exhumed all of those graves that can be removed without threatening the structural integrity of the building.
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