Additional human remains have been unearthed during an archaeological study of the former Baker Street parking lot, which used to be operated as a community cemetery.
Thirty-seven distinct discoveries have been made since excavation work began in September – something required before the property can be redeveloped. That’s four more than reported in a Dec. 1 update from the city.
In that update, city officials also noted 84 grave shafts had been found. The latest release explains one of the shafts has been identified as a “non-grave related feature," bringing the total so far to 83.
“Planning is currently underway to allow excavations to continue through the winter, with work resuming in the new year,” the recent release adds.
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.
