Nashville Flood Repairs Uncover Burial Grounds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Nashville resident making flood repairs has uncovered what is likely a Native American burial ground.

State Archaeologist Mike Moore told The Tennessean the remains found in a Bellevue yard are between 500 and 1,000 years old. He saw evidence that the bodies were placed in limestone slab coffins, also known as stone-box graves.

While it is a crime to knowingly disturb human remains, there is no penalty for an accidental disturbance. However, Moore said future work on the property will require an analysis that ensures no other graves will be disturbed or a court order to remove the graves.

Moore said such finds are not uncommon. The area is known to contain Native American burial sites.

The bones will be added to the state Division of Archaeology's inventory of Native American remains.

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Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com