“In 1891 there were 500 members of this church, an African American church,” Harshaw said.
Back in February researchers got a big surprise when they discovered the gravesites.
“We had no idea that there were burial sites there,” said Colonial Williamsburg Director of Archaeology Jack Gary.
Fast forward a few months, and the team has now uncovered 21 gravesites.
“We are now looking forward to the excitement we will all feel when we start to identify the remains and connect them with the people that are still here,” Harshaw said.
The team previously uncovered glass believed to be from the church, parts of a porcelain doll, and an inkwell. Leaders said they will keep digging horizontally, leaving any graves they find untouched until the descendent community decides what’s next.
Leaders for the excavation project are calling all decendents of the original First Baptist Church to help them with the next steps.