Scientists comb Peoria library site for remains

PEORIA -- Archaeologists excavating the site of a planned new library say they found 10 burial sites from an old cemetery while searching for human remains that would have to be moved before construction can begin.

Midwest Archaeological Research Services started work at the site Tuesday.

The planned new Peoria Public Library will be built on what was a city cemetery until the mid 1800s.

Hundreds of people were buried there, apparently more than the 321 bodies that local records indicate were moved from the cemetery when it closed.

State law requires that any remains still there would have to be removed and turned over to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency for possible identification.

Excavation could continue for weeks.