While excavating a new building along X Street near Stockton Boulevard, construction crews at UC Davis Health’s Sacramento campus uncovered human remains. The discovery, made in February, revealed 77 previously unknown burials that date back to the era when the site served as the Sacramento County Hospital cemetery.
Historical context of the site
The cemetery operated from the 1880s through the 1920s, providing burial space for patients of the county hospital. Archaeologists and historians confirmed that the newly found remains overlap with that historic burial ground. Earlier this year, a separate find of 72 remains near the same location was reinterred at St. Mary’s Cemetery after approval from the Sacramento Superior Court.
Condition of the remains
University officials reported that the remains vary in preservation. Some consist of relatively complete skeletal remains, while others are limited to bone fragments. No evidence suggests the individuals were Native American, and no gravestones or personal markers were recovered to identify specific persons.
Response and next steps
UC Davis Health released a statement emphasizing that such discoveries are common in historic regions like Sacramento. The university is working closely with the Sacramento County Cemetery Advisory Commission and other public agencies to follow standard legal and archaeological protocols for handling, studying, and ultimately reinterring the remains.
All remains are currently stored in a secured facility while experts assess the best course of action. The university has invited anyone with information about the remains to contact its Government and Community Relations office by the close of business on November 3.
Community impact
Local residents and historians have expressed interest in learning more about the cemetery’s history and the individuals buried there. The coordinated effort between the university, county officials, and the advisory commission aims to honor the deceased while preserving the archaeological record for future study.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
