NOW: Arkansas School for the Deaf researching burial ground

UPDATE:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Students are digging into history by researching the burial ground on the Arkansas School for the Deaf campus.

Students are working alongside archeologists for the ground survey and getting some hands-on experience.

“All educators want their students to see history not just in books but related to real life and this is the best possible project for them because we are so proud of our school and our school’s history,” signed Janet Dickinson, Superintendent of the Arkansas School for the Deaf. (Interpreted by Belle McGhee.)

The archeologist is surveying all the green spaces around the known burial ground and also part of the pavement.

“The most interesting part is its almost 100 years of history,” signed Michaelangelo Marnez, 8th Grader. (Interpreted by Eddie Schmeckenbecher.)

It’s not every day your school has archeologists surveying the ground, looking to see how many people are buried there but that’s exactly what’s happening at the Arkansas School for the Deaf campus.

“The reason is the people have died a long time ago… the people lived far away didn’t have enough money to go home so they buried them here, had staff students and principals,” signed Marnez.

Last October, a crypt was revealed just under the pavement at the school and ever since then students like 8th grader Michaelangelo Marnez have been studying all about the burial ground and the history of the school.

“I feel very proud about that because it’s my school and the legacy that it has been,” signed Marnez.

Now students are working with Archeologist Dr. Andrew Beaupre for a non-invasive survey of the ground using soil penetrating radar.

One machine used is called a Resistance Meter, which shoots radar waves into the ground and shows the difference in the soils so you can see if anything is underground.

“Its the most respectful when you are dealing with something like a graveyard that you don’t want to disturb remains unnecessarily,” said Dr. Andrew Beaupre, Research Station Archeologist.

Beaupre said they will go back and forth on a gride, with the machines 20 times.

In the end, they will have a map of what is under the surface, he said it will look like blobs.

“We’ll have all that data crunched together, we’ll have those maps. We’re going to be able to come out here and see its indicative of any archeological features,” said Beaupre.

Marnez said he’s excited about the end results.

“I’m looking forward to seeing has actually died here,” said Marnez.

In a few weeks, the archeologists will come back with their findings and the goal is to know how many people are buried on the campus.

Beaupre said there is no guarantee they will have an exact answer.

During this time of research, ASD is asking everyone to stay off the campus.

Last time we ran a story about the burial grounds, viewers wanted to see it for their own eye however that puts all the students at risk.

So the school is asking respectfully that you not drive onto the campus.

ORIGINAL:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – In October, a stunning discovery was made underneath The Arkansas School for the Deaf.

A real-life crypt with unknown contents was found just six inches below the campus.

We learned the school has more than a century of rich history that dates back to 1849.

Now, the school is taking a deeper look into that history underground.