Native American Burial Ground Unearthed

It's being called a significant find, Native American remains dating back possibly 11 hundred years. The burial ground was unearthed recently at a construction site on private property in Hamilton County, but archaeologists aren't saying exactly where. They don't want to tip off looters who may vandalize the area. But one archaeologist who was on site says he was very impressed with what he found.

"I mean it's a major site."

He's not saying where, but Dr. Nick Honerkamp with University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Institute of Archaeology says at least 18 people were identified at the site along with trash and storage pits.

"There's several burials, some with pretty exotic grave goods which is an indication of high status people that were buried with high status items."

Honerkamp's worked for years at various sites including one in Audubon Acres in 1993. He was called to the latest discovery in February.

"I went back out and started excavating in this little pit that I saw and I found some human teeth."

Just like the tedious process of excavating, land developers who stumble upon remains must go through lengthy, legal procedures. Honerkamp says with the latest find, the land owner, state archaeologist and medical examiner's office conferred and agreed to remove the remains. They will likely rebury them somewhere else.

"They had to get a court order to remove the cemetery, which it is now or it was. That was done. The Native American community was informed officially by the state archaeologist."

While the land owner was completely within his rights, Honerkamp says it's unfortunate another burial ground's been moved.

"This is what developers do. They have an economic motive. The project couldn't continue and leave that huge section of earth there. That's what happens a lot."

Honerkamp says it's also unfortunate they have to worry about looters vandalizing the site. It's such a problem, he's actually had to have police escorts at some of the burial grounds he's worked.