Hidden cemetery found on University of West Georgia campus

CARROLLTON, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - An archeological survey may have found an undiscovered cemetery on the campus of the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

It’s the picturesque campus of the University of West Georgia, currently home of the wolves and previously a plantation.

Now questions are swirling about this small plot of land covered in pine straw next to Melson Hall, the first building on campus.

“I just know that they are looking into graves they found for slaves and it was being part of an archeological study,” said Raiden Green, a UWG student.

The University confirms it sponsored an archeological survey of this area in a ‘comprehensive mapping project’ to gather information and a cultural understanding of the former Bonner Plantation property.

University officials said after several rounds of ground and soil testing were concluded, the archeological survey found anomalies suggesting the presence of a possible cemetery.

“I just hope they treat it with respect, like take care of the bodies properly, you know don’t mess everything up,” said Treasure Hunt, a UWG student.

UWG was established in the early 1900s on the Bonner Plantation. First it was known as the Fourth District A&M School, a School for rural youth, then in 1933 it was renamed West Georgia College. Now it’s a university.

UWG did not indicate why the archeological survey was just now undertaken.

“I feel like that when they were building it that they should have looked deeper but you never know,” said Maia Pettiford-Green, a student at UWG.

The university in a statement wrote: “UWG will continue to explore and verify findings and to work with the descendant community in the exploration of this historical project.”

UWG student Tabatha Jones has confidence the university will do the right thing

“I think it’s up to the campus. They’ve always handled things well and I think West Georgia will do a good job of handling this as well,” said Jones.

Some questions may never be answered about who is buried on the small plot of land on the campus grounds but what was once a plantation is now an institution of higher learning.

“This school used to be a plantation and now it’s a very diverse school so it shows we’ve come a long way, said UWG student Treasure Hunt.

A representative from Southern Research Historic Preservation Consultants, the firm which conducted the archeological survey, told FOX 5 News he could not comment on any specifics.

He said much more will be revealed soon.