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Posted on Tue, Jun 28, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.

More skeletal remains discovered today at Eastern Michigan University

By AnnArbor.com Staff

More bones and other remains of an older man buried in a 19th-century cemetery formerly located on what is now the campus of Eastern Michigan University were discovered today by investigators, the university said.

The remains, which included a skull and coffin remnants, are consistent with a burial from the late 1800s, said Professor Norm Sauer, director of the Forensic Anthropology Lab at Michigan State University.

Sauer led a team of MSU graduate students in investigating the site Tuesday after several bones were first reported Monday as construction crews performed excavation for a new steam line project adjacent to EMU's Physical Plant building on the northeast corner of campus, the university said in a press release.

Construction crews notified Eastern Michigan's Department of Public Safety, which contacted the Michigan State Police Crime Lab. MSU is the designated partner of the Michigan State Police in performing such archaeological investigations.

The bones are believed to be from a Catholic cemetery formerly located near what is now Ann Street on EMU's campus. County records indicate the cemetery was relocated before 1900, the university said.

The bones, along with artifacts such as a coffin handle, were found 6 to 7 feet underground below a concrete driveway area near the Physical Plant Building. No further excavation is planned.

Sauer said his team will continue to investigate the remains for more details.

Comments

Steve McKeen

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 4:11 p.m.

Is EMU sure these aren't the remains of their Division I-A football program?

glimmertwin

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.

Obviously, the "move" of this cemetery did not occur completely. To many, nothing is more sacred than the internment of their loved ones. Regardless of your religion, race or nationality, the resting place of those persons should be handled with respect. I know it's probably too far gone to find out how the ball was dropped on this, but let's hope the University values what they have discovered and does everything possible to make right what should have been done when they took over the property in the first place.

DBH

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.

I think removing the word "today" from your headline makes sense (or not even having included it in the first place). It renders the headline inaccurate the day after it is posted, particularly to someone seeing it on your homepage. It's not even necessary.

treetowncartel

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 4:11 a.m.

how in the heck did my comment get moved over her?

obviouscomment

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 11:39 a.m.

I think there's a glitch in the website because I've noticed a couple other comments on other articles that didn't seem to fit at all and made me think that they commented on the wrong article.

Halter

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 2:55 a.m.

"They moved the cemetery, but they left the bodies there!".....remind you of a Spielberg movie?.....

Laura Bien

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.

Halter: Yes, there's more to the story. Particularly relating to the paupers'/undesirables' section of the onetime cemetery. All forgotten now...almost.

Laura Bien

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.

dading: Yeah, you can get a peek at them at most libraries/universities; I think the Bentley has a good collection, among other places. The offer I emailed to Ms. Heflin to email her a scan of a public-domain plat map showing the Old Catholic Cemetery (moved to present-day St. John's on River St.) still stands...let me know and I can shoot that over.

Ricebrnr

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:52 a.m.

They finally found Jimmy Hoffa!

Laura Bien

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:36 a.m.

That's good. Heaven knows I wanted to use some in my upcoming book "Hidden Ypsilanti," but they charge an arm and a leg for access to them, and rightfully so since the maps are so excellent. Thanks for respecting the copyright and removing the link.

Laura Bien

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.

Um, Sanborn maps are very strictly protected by copyright. You cannot post them for public consumption. The company is still active and is very protective about granting rights to its maps. I would take this down pronto if I were you.

cmadler

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:19 p.m.

Works published in the US before January 1, 1923 are, with extremely few exceptions, in the public domain.

EatKeyLimePie

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:19 p.m.

Why warn them?!?! Let them pay the $ for the infringement, if a staff of "professional journalist" don't understand public domain images, shame on them!

dading dont delete me bro

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.

if you look diligently on the good ole' internet you can find a sign in and password for public reference. i use sanborn maps for another hobby of mine.

Cindy Heflin

Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 12:26 a.m.

The map has been removed while we investigate the copyright issue.