At what point is it OK to dig up old graves?

[aaron7]

Ok, that title came out way more morbid than I intended!

When it comes to archaeological purposes... how old do graves need to be before they are dug up for artifacts and studying?

NOT that I have things planned... just an honest question that I thought of last night when watching a show where they used GPR to find graves in a guy's back yard from the Revolutionary period!

[FarmerChick]

that was Ghost Hunters...I saw it too.

depends. I don't think a relative wanting to find and locate their graves should start digging any time soon. LOL LOL

good question in a way because over the centuries tombs are raided, graves are found accidently while digging etc. but to 'just dig up a grave' just doesn't seem cool to me.

Is there ever a right time?? hmmm

[ivan salis]

MOST BUCKLE'S ARE EITHER DAMAGED THROW AWAYS OR BLOWN OFF DURING BATTLE -- i HOPE THAT AT LEAST -- digging up a body for a buckle is just plain sick.

[P.B. and Dylan]

I found an old forgotton graveyard (1800's) by using an old map and a lot of legwork. The tombstones (I later found out) were bulldozed down by someone who owned the property around 1950-60. There are depressions in the ground which I would think are the actual graves. When I was speaking to someone from the graveyard preservation society about this I asked if they ever dig, to try to identify if it is an actual grave and who's remains they may be, she said no. I got the impression that they didn't feel that it was proper. I however felt it was. So to answer your question I think that in this case that would be a good reason to do it in order to remark the burial site(s) and reestablish the cemetery.

[P.B. and Dylan]

Thanks Texastee, I'll give that a shot.

[allen]

I dont care how old the grave site is, I will never
detect it and I will not allow anyone with me do it.
Only the proper authorities should bother these
graves and only with a very good reason.
This is my opinion.

[njnydigger]

Only if one believes gold is present. I wouldn't advocate digging up old plots just for silver...too much work I just love it everytime this question comes up

NEVER!!!

[packerbacker]

I guess if you're buried in a pyramid with a bunch of golden artifacts it's ok to be dug up. They can even put you on display and charge people to come gawk at you.

[KEYSHUNTER]

well, something happen in the past..i just have to see if there was a twin.....