Brown Bag Series Talk - Identifying and Uncovering Ontario’s Unmarked Graves: Cemetery Work as a Consultant Archaeologist

“Suspected unmarked cemetery”, “human remains found”, and “burial ground discovered”. These news headlines are increasingly common in today’s media. The discovery and potential destruction of unmarked cemeteries, during rapid times of urban development over the past 150 years, is an ongoing concern throughout Ontario. As a consultant archaeologist at TMHC Inc., I am regularly involved with projects involving unmarked graves, cemeteries, and human remains discoveries. Often this work has me liaising with government sectors, legal authorities, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, or Descendant groups to ensure that burial sites are not impacted. If we are involved with recovery efforts, it is our priority to follow the direct wishes of the respective communities. As part of this work, I am a researcher, report writer, and expert consultant, but also conduct fieldwork as an osteologist and archaeologist. Each project and circumstance are different, but experience from all three of my degrees has helped prepare me for this role, and has given me the tools necessary to continue adapting to each new find. Participating in this work presents an opportunity to provide information and closure for living descendants, and ensures that these unmarked cemeteries are not forgotten.