An Archaeological and Bioarchaeological Perspective: The Tucker (41DT104) And Sinclair (41DT105) Cemeteries of Delta County Texas

Summary

The relocation of the Tucker Cemetery marked the first joint effort to integrate professional archaeologists, bio-archaeologists, and their research goals with the goals and personnel of the Burial Relocation Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a private relocation contractor. Between October 7 and October 11, 1986, archaeologists from the Institute of Applied Sciences, North Texas State University (IAS-NTSU), a physical anthropologist from the Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas (UA), personnel from Billner Brothers Inc., and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District (CE, Ft. Worth) relocated all burials from the Tucker Cemetery (41DT104) in Delta County, Texas.

Sixteen burials including ten unmarked graves were located, sapped, exposed, scientifically studied, and removed for re-interment at the nearby Oaklawn Cemetery. Considerable cooperative effort, organization, and planning were necessary to accomplish this task. The excavation, recording, and scientific procedures utilized during this process are presented in this report in order to encourage and aid in the planning of similar cooperative projects in the future. Problem areas including time and budget constraints, as well as diverse research interests and needs are discussed in detail.

Initial investigative work was also accomplished at the Sinclair Cemetery in Delta County, Texas during September, 1986. Research efforts focused on recovering archival and oral informant information verifying the location, age, and the current condition of this reported cemetery. In addition our interests were directed towards identifying the familial and ethnic background of the individuals interred there. A preliminary field reconnaissance was conducted by several archaeologists from the Institute of Applied Sciences, North Texas State University (IAS), representatives of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (CE). Fort Worth and Dallas Districts, and a local informant, Mr. Wilbur John Banks. Following this survey and initial archival and oral research, the probable location of the Sinclair Cemetery was recorded, mapped, and a backhoe was used to blade the site and expose the grave outlines below the plow-zone. This cemetery provides a unique opportunity to examine a small, historic family cemetery comprised of unmarked graves.

Reflecting on the experience gained during the interdisciplinary relocation of the Tucker Cemetery, a set of suggested techniques are extracted for future relocation's of historic cemeteries. Considerable scientific information can be recovered from these coordinated interdisciplinary efforts which would otherwise be lost forever.

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): US Army Corps of Engineers Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, St. Louis District

Contributor(s): Barbara A. Burnett

Principal Investigator(s): C. Reid Ferring

Landowner(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

Prepared By(s): Institute of Applied Sciences Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas

Submitted To(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

Record Identifiers

Contract No.(s): DACW63-85-D-0066

File Information