Report on Cemetery at PWCS 12th High School Site Available to Public

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Prince William County Schools has announced that the final report by an archeological firm on the cemetery at the 12th high school is available for public review.

A meeting to discuss the reburial of the artifacts and remains is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. in the atrium of the Kelly Leadership Center. The meeting is open to the public.

According to PWCS, findings of the report include:

  • A total of 11 “grave features” dating to the period post-1850 to post-1880 were identified;
  • Individuals included four older male adults, at least two but possibly four, older female adults, and three individuals of indeterminate sex (one sub-adult, one adult, and one of unknown age);
  • No DNA testing could be conducted because of the incompleteness of the remains;
  • Three of the individuals have possible African ancestry;
  • Some of the individuals were likely associated with the family of William and Cordelia Lynn, owners of the land during this time period, and/or possibly with tenants that leased the property when the Lynn family moved to Washington, D.C.
  • The report concludes that it is likely the individuals at the site may never be positively identified.

The detailed report looked at remains and artifacts found, topography, census and land ownership records from the late 19th century. Thunderbird Archeology in Gainesville, Virginia prepared the 177 page report, which is dated May 14, 2014.

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