Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc. (RGA) conducted ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) surveys at the Mt. Olive Cemetery on the campus of Jackson State University (JSU) located at 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi. The project was managed by Heather Denné, PhD, Director of Community Engagement, JSU, to fulfill requirements of a National Park Service (NPS) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) grant that was awarded to JSU in 2023. The surveys identified unmarked burials, other below ground features, and grave depressions in the cemetery.

Mt. Olive Cemetery was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. The historic cemetery contains over 200 grave markers and mausoleums for men and women who contributed to the development of the African American community in Jackson. A database of burials maintained by JSU indicates that there are 1,461 burials at Mt. Olive Cemetery. This number is derived from death certificates dating to between 1909 and 1943 on record at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and data taken from extant headstones at Mt. Olive.

The LiDAR survey completed concurrently with the GPR survey found a total of 1,483 depressions that were identified as potential burials (Figure 4.2). This aligns with the research conducted by Heather Denne’ in 2017 by pulling death certificates. LiDAR and GPR found an additional 22 grave sites and was able to locate where all the burials are in the cemetery. This is extremely important because most of the grave sites do not have markers. Their office will use this data for landscaping purposes and to reinforce existing pathways.

RGA performed the remote sensing surveys between November 13 and November 22, 2024. Geophysical Specialist Donald Rowe directed the survey with assistance from Archaeological Technicians Mariah Gonzales and Regan Crider. Aaron Edleblute operated the drone and collected LiDAR data. The weather was clear with one day having a significant amount of precipitation. The temperatures ranged from 50°F in the mornings to The GPR survey’s purpose was to locate unmarked burials within the cemetery.

On Friday, August 22, at 10:00 am, JSU’s Office of Community Engagement will be hosting a small ceremony highlighting the work that has been completed. The event is open to the public.

The full report can be found below.