Bones unearthed by Eastern Michigan University construction workers
Workers at Eastern Michigan University unearthed a mystery this afternoon: some very old bones. What's not clear is whether they are human or animal.
The area is believed to be near the location of a former cemetery on Ann Street, but EMU officials don't know whether the 4 or 5 long bones discovered were left behind when the cemetery was abandoned and the bodies moved many years ago.
Also uncovered with the bones was a handle, said Walter Kraft, EMU vice president of communications. “So we don’t know if that’s from a casket.”
Kraft said the EMU Department of Public Safety responded as soon as the bones were found. They in turn notified Michigan State Police who suggested having the bones evaluated by anthropologists from Michigan State University. The anthropologists will determine whether the bones are human and how old they are.
The bones were found 6 to 7 feet underground below a concrete driveway area near the Physical Plant Building, where workers were doing excavation work for a new steam line, EMU said in a press release.
An old Catholic cemetery was once located on Ann Street, according to RootsWeb.com. The bodies were relocated about 1900, according to the website.
Contact Cindy Heflin at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2572. For more Ypsilanti stories, visit our Ypsilanti page.
Comments
Stopthemadness
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
The Medical Examiner was never notified or consulted, what a disgrace. We have students at EMU and UM that would have love to have the opprotunity to be involved in an anthropological dig are they not good enough? They never even had a chance to prove they were... SAD!!!! Tax payers whats UP!!!!
Cheryl Jordan
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 6:16 p.m.
No wonder so many of the buildings at eastern Michigan University are haunted.
Geoff Larcom
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
In answer to the question of why EMU's anthropology program was not enlisted, I am told this by police: In an event of this type, area police agencies first enlist the help of the Michigan State Police Crime Lab, to determine the nature of the remains, etc. If the MSP crime lab is unavailable, as it was Monday, the process is turned over to the Forensic Anthropology Department at MSU. That program is who MSP ALWAYS deals with, under protocol for such investigations.
jjc155
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
@Geoff, a point of claification on your post (as your post has some generalized info that is not correct). Not all area agencies utilize the MSP Crime Lab for SCENE PROCESSING. YPD for example has it own inhouse evidence technicians (as does WSCD and AAPD if I am not mistaken) that handle everything up to and including homicides. If these bones would have been located in YPD jurisdiction, MSP would NOT have been notified and the ME's office would have been requested to take possesion of and determine the origins of the bones. Neither MSU nor any other university would be involved either. The only time MSP would be involved is if samples or evidence were needed to be sent to the lab for additional analysis. Now if the responding agency is smaller like EMU or does not have the trained personel then MSP may be called to assist with the processing and collection of the bones and if MSP wants to sent them to MSU so be it, but not every local agency uses that protocol.
glimmertwin
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
Rush weeks used to be a little more harsh than they are now.
KathrynHahn
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 9:44 a.m.
Back in the day, not all graves were marked with a stone if the family couldn't afford one, or if the person had no family (potters field). If the cemetery didn't keep accurate records, it's very likely an unmarked grave may have gone un-moved.
Lovaduck
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 3:16 a.m.
Perhaps it's the old professors' burial grounds!
Toni Dallas
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.
I am disappointed to hear that MSU Anthropologists were the ones called to look into this further. EMU has an Anthropology department and has graduated many very competent archaeologists, with several qualified people still living in the area. I really hope that EMU Anthropologists can be a part of this investigation. I also think this would be a very cool opportunity for students. It really seems that the community at large thinks EMU is a big joke that can't handle their own affairs. It's a shame.
Angela Barbash
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
You need a Forensic Anthroplogist for this task and appropriate lab capabilities as Matt Cooper pointed out; we have no real lab space at EMU, and few Forensic Anths. who chose to stay in Michigan who could be called upon. In any case, I think jjc155 is right, the ME should be handling this...?
jjc155
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 1:13 p.m.
Odd that they just did not call in the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner, they are more than capible to determine if the bones are human vs animal, plus I belive that it the actual protocol, not calling on a university.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 10:37 a.m.
In an ironic twist the MSU football filed is being re sodded by a Colorado sod farm. <a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110624/COLUMNISTS09/106240308/Schneider-New-Spartan-Stadium-turf-coming-from-Colorado?odyssey=tab" rel='nofollow'>http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20110624/COLUMNISTS09/106240308/Schneider-New-Spartan-Stadium-turf-coming-from-Colorado?odyssey=tab</a>|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
Matt Cooper
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 5:48 a.m.
Does EMU have the same scientific resources MSU has? The same lab capabilities?
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
Ask John Norman Collins about it.
stunhsif
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.
that is what I was thinking , good call !
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 1:14 a.m.
they have uncovered an ancient Huron Indian burial ground. They must immediately tear down the power plant and endeavor to return the area to its natural state.
tim
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
Jimmie Hoffa
xmo
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 10:55 p.m.
Bury them and be done with them!
Eep
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 9:51 p.m.
The Dexter Bear has been burying his victims.
Berda Green
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
GOOD LUCK
Carl Ebach
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
The bones of last true Rebulican is my guess
Grand Marquis de Sade
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 9:46 p.m.
Gee let's see... bones found 6 feet below ground at a former cemetary... I'm thinking they're probably human.
Goober
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 9:34 p.m.
Could it be that we found Jimmy Hoffa?
snoopdog
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 1:59 a.m.
Hah, good one Goober ! Good Day
Roadman
Mon, Jun 27, 2011 : 9:31 p.m.
Carbon dating can determine the age of the bones.