News
National Cemetery burial recovery findings
Work continues to stabilize burial areas affected by landslides in the National Cemetery and scientists are conducting DNA testing.
VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Work continues to stabilize burial areas affected by landslides in the National
Cemetery. As part of this effort, specialists are also conducting DNA testing in hopes of identifying previously unnamed soldiers and connecting them with their living descendants.
Although the project began to protect and preserve burials threatened by erosion, it has also uncovered a remarkable collection of artifacts dating back to the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg. Archaeologists have
recovered artillery and small arms artifacts, personal belongings, fragments of ceramic and glass containers, and evidence of cooking activities and domesticated animals, providing valuable insight into the
daily lives of soldiers during the campaign.
The primary goal of the National Cemetery Stabilization Project is to safely remove burials from areas at risk, stabilize the landscape, and respectfully return the remains and grave markers to their original
locations. At the same time, the work has revealed significant archaeological evidence directly tied to military actions during the Siege of Vicksburg.
Despite decades of landscape changes throughout the National Cemetery and Vicksburg National Military Park, these discoveries demonstrate that important pieces of our nation’s history remain preserved beneath the surface. Each finding helps researchers better understand the events of the 1863 campaign while ensuring the stories of those who served are preserved for future generations.
