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Historical human remains found in Hampton believed to be from Native American tribe

Posted at 8:24 AM, Jun 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-01 18:57:07-04

HAMPTON, Va. - What is buried in your backyard?

After finding a human body earlier this May, another was found on May 30. Both are being classified as historical remains.

Officials believe that the remains belong to the Nansemond Indian tribe.

The second body found was in the same area where the first body was found, which was located in a construction/development area, according to the Hampton Police Division. Developers stopped their work when they discovered the bones.

Neighbors told News 3's Margaret Kavanagh they thought there was a shooting when police were called to the scene.

Chief Lee Lock is the head of the local Indian tribe that was just recently recognized by the federal government. He praised the developers and how they handled the remains.

"I think it's good the developers are working with us and preserving a bit of history," he said. "It's important to preserve our heritage because so much was taken away from us when the English came here and conquered everybody."

The chief said that he's received about six different sets of remains in the last few years and hopes that they can have some kind of burial ceremony on land that has been designated for his tribe in Suffolk.

Virginia's State Historical Archaeologist Department is handling the remains as a State Historical Preservation Case.

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Human remains found in Hampton believed to be 'historical'