Tulsa Will Begin Sixth Graves Investigation Field Season

Archaeologists will return to Oaklawn Cemetery in late September to continue the 1921 massacre victim search.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in African-American

Tulsa Will Begin Sixth Graves Investigation Field Season

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Beginning September 29, 2026, the City of Tulsa will launch the sixth field season of the 1921 Graves Investigation at Oaklawn Cemetery. The project aims to recover remains linked to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, with fieldwork scheduled to run through early November.

Why it matters

The investigation seeks to provide closure for descendants and clarify the historical record by locating victims of the 1921 violence. Using death certificates and historical accounts, officials aim to reconcile the burial records of massacre victims with the physical evidence identified at the site.

Researchers have exhumed 55 individuals at the site, with 22 yielding DNA profiles. Historical records suggest 21 massacre victims are buried at Oaklawn, while 1921 documentation issued 26 death certificates for victims of the massacre.

The players

City of Tulsa

This municipal government entity is the primary organization leading the archaeological and genealogical investigation into the 1921 massacre.

Oaklawn Cemetery

This local burial site serves as the primary area of interest for investigators searching for victims of the 1921 race massacre.

The details

The upcoming excavation includes geotechnical coring and archaeological recovery work conducted on weekdays. During this phase, Oaklawn Cemetery and the adjacent Midland Valley Trail will remain closed to the public.

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre took place.
The 1921 Graves Investigation officially launched in 2018.
Summary report findings were released in 2025.
The sixth field season begins on September 29, 2026.
Fieldwork is expected to conclude in early November 2026.

Roadmap

The search at Oaklawn Cemetery follows the patterns established by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, providing a forensic framework for recovering lost historical data. This investigation represents a significant effort to reconcile official municipal records with the physical remains found at the burial site.

Residents and visitors should note that Oaklawn Cemetery and the Midland Valley Trail will be closed to the public during the duration of the excavation. These measures are necessary to facilitate the daily archaeological work occurring throughout the fall season.

The takeaway

The ongoing excavation demonstrates the commitment to documenting and honoring victims of historical violence through modern forensic science. Families seeking information are encouraged to engage with the official genealogy portal to assist in the identification process.

What happens next

Fieldwork is scheduled to operate Monday through Friday from the start date of September 29, 2026, until the expected conclusion in early November 2026.