ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Archaeologists in St. Augustine have dug up human remains suspected to be more than 400 years old Tuesday.
It is the most recent discovery and the shallow graves were found under Charlotte Street, just south of Ponce de Leon and the Bridge of Lions.
The city was hoping to replace old piping, but it may have to find a different route. The dig is closed to car traffic. However, the unique thing about this dig is that you can walk right up and look down into the hole and actually see your possibly ancestors.
St. Augustine Archaeologist Carl Halbirt said this discovery brings us closer to our ancestors. He also said and it’s hard to say how many bodies could be under there, since it is just a 3 feet by 5 feet hole.
“For us, what it really represents is a tangible link to the people themselves. Archaeologically, what we usually find is the trash people left behind,” Halbirt said. “The broken pottery, the animal remains representing food items, aspects of their homes, but here you're actually looking at the remains of people."
Halbirt said they had the city to thank for the discovery since talks of replacing old pipes underneath the street have forced archaeologists to take a deeper look at what's already there. This was being done so new construction doesn't disturb anything historical.
Father Tom Willis, rector of Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine can't believe his eyes.
“It's almost an in your face type of thing,” Willis said.
Willis said the people found could have been very important. Especially since there was a church here.
“If it's inside the church, you're looking at someone that is fairly prominent,” Willis said. “It may just depend, good benefactors or good parishioners."
Only time will tell and time is most definitely on this city's side.
“St. Augustinians have this great love for their history,” Willis shared. “And this is part of it.”
This dig will only be going on until Wednesday after which the dirt will be put back in to cover it all up. If you would like to see this bit of history, check it out Wednesday.