As archaeological study continues at the former Baker Street parking lot, more grave shafts and human remains have been discovered.
Since the last update, on Nov. 16, workers have come across 21 more grave shafts and seven distinct bone fragments at the former graveyard site, which is slated to be redeveloped with a mix of residential and commercial uses, along with a new central library.
In all, 84 grave shafts have been found, along with 33 discoveries of human bone fragments.
“One of the graves identified is a single brick crypt, which has now been fully documented and excavated,” states a city news release.
The city and hired archaeological consultants are following an established process for handling discoveries of human remains, including notification to appropriate agencies such as Guelph Police Services, partner Indigenous governments and provincial ministries.
Once the archaeological clearance work is done, all remains found during the excavation will be documented and re-interned at Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery.
Work on the site began at the end of September when the parking lot was permanently closed, with the first discovery of bone fragments reported on Oct. 22.
Used as a cemetery for 26 years, the triangular block that was the Baker Street municipal parking lot was the site of an all-faith cemetery from 1827 to 1853.
