Famous ‘grave in the road’ had seven occupants, researchers find
As noted in UIndy News last month [1], Dr. Christopher Schmidt of the Department of Anthropology [2] has been working with students and colleagues on a job for Johnson County officials: In conjunction with a road improvement project, they were asked to exhume, examine and re-inter the remains of Nancy Kerlin Barnett, presumed occupant of the legendary 1831 “grave in the middle of the road” south of Franklin.
What they found, however, has caused quite a stir. The gravesite contained not one, but seven sets of human remains — three adults and four children — adding more intrigue to a story that has captivated local residents and travelers for decades.
To learn all the details and unanswered questions, check out this week’s coverage in the Indianapolis Star [3], WISH-TV [4], WTHR [5], WXIN [6], WRTV [7], Indiana Public Media [8], USA Today [9], Archaeology.org [10]. The CBS Radio News network and scores of news outlets throughout the Midwest carried the story after it was picked up by the Associated Press [11].
Schmidt will be interviewed Saturday on Hoosier History Live! [12] with host Nelson Price, which airs from noon to 1 p.m. on UIndy’s WICR-88.7 FM/HD. Read a preview here [12].
Carroll County project featured in WISH-TV’s Bicentennial series
[13]As noted in UIndy News last year [14], Dr. Christopher Moore of the departments of Anthropology and Earth-Space Science [15] has been directing students and educating the public through an extended exploration of a historical site in Carroll County, Ind. The Baum’s Landing site offers a unique window into 19th century life in rural Indiana, and the effort has been declared an official Bicentennial Legacy Project [16] by the 2016 Indiana Bicentennial Commission.
It’s not surprising, then, that WISH-TV would feature Moore and his students in its series of Bicentennial Minute reports. The piece is actually about three minutes long, and you can watch it here [17].
Moore, himself a UIndy alumnus, also has been involved in the Barnett grave project, by the way.