Archaeologists uncover more than 670 grave shafts at Henry Street Bridge site

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Archaeologists working on the Henry Street Bridge project have identified 674 grave shafts in an area once part of the historic Greenlawn Cemetery, according to a new update from the Indianapolis Department of Public Works.

The discovery was made by Stantec, the city’s archaeology consultant, which began work in the Henry Street right-of-way in November 2024. The current excavation zone, located along the east side of the White River, runs toward Kentucky Avenue.

The site falls within the Old Burying Ground, the original section of Greenlawn Cemetery, where archaeologists have been carefully excavating to make way for bridge construction without disturbing the area’s historical integrity.

Before the dig began, Indianapolis estimated crews might find up to 650 grave shafts in the project zone. Stantec’s latest count has surpassed that, but experts say it’s too soon to determine how many individuals were buried there.

According to the department, the number of grave shafts they found doesn’t equate to the number of people they believe are buried there. Determining that number requires more research and lab analysis of the recovered remains.

Despite the increase, the city and its consultants say their commitment to handling the work with care has not changed.

“Our approach and commitment to the respectful excavation and reinternment of individuals remains unchanged,” Stantec lead archaeologist Ryan Peterson wrote in a statement. “While more grave shafts have been identified than initially estimated for the right-of-way, this does not necessarily mean we will unearth a similar number of grave shafts in the areas still awaiting excavation.”

Indy DPW says a public meeting is planned for July to give residents a closer look at construction progress in the White River Innovation District and offer preliminary insights from the ongoing archaeology work.

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