Remains found at City Honors

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo City Honors' $40 million reconstruction project is on schedule and it's even unearthed some surprising discoveries.

Built on an old potter's field, officials knew there would be remains, they just didn't realize how many.

The grounds around City Honors School on North street are torn up, digging for the future and into the past.

Back in the early 1800's a cholera epidemic swept through Buffalo, and the land was used as a cemetery for the poor and unidentified.

Over the years, progress forged on, on top of the potter's field, leaving behind some of remains.

"I think initially surprising for everyone to find in tact remains on campus," said Principal of City Honors, Dr. Bill Kresse.

They estimated there were about 100 burial shafts, and guessed at the number of remains.

"The original expectation was less than 75 bodies."

The school wanted to do things right, so URS archeologists were brought in, and it's a good thing.

All told, 532 grave shafts were uncovered, inside they unearthed 446 remains, 66 totally in tact.

A group of 16 City Honor students have been following the dig, including aspiring forensic anthropologist, Muneera Patton.

"I just think all it's good to know and how bodies are still being found after all years and host lot still in tact," said 9th grader, Muneera.

They've experienced things you'll never see.

Science teacher, Robert Martin said, "There were no photographs taken of bodies and graves, why out of respect for dead."

All the remains will eventually be reinterred at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

The school should be finished in 2010.