Skeletal remains removed from old Cloverleaf site | News

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- New information on the discovery of human remains near the old Cloverleaf Mall site. The exhumation is now over. A total of six skeletons are at Radford University being studied by forensic experts.

While that study is underway at Radford, construction will stay on course. The Kroger walls are starting to go up.

The remains will eventually return to the site for reburial. Archaeologists weren't able to track down the descendants.

A first picture of where Williamsburg-based archaeologists spent the last few weeks digging up 19th century history. They finished last Friday.

Construction crews got the okay Tuesday to begin filling in the space.

It was determined the land was once owned by the Pemberton family. But the remains aren't.

"The indications are they are no relationship to that family. The time period is the late 1860's to 1880's which would make it most likely it is tenant farmers," said Garrett Hart with Chesterfield Economic Development.

Six skeletons along with some artifacts were shipped to Radford University.

An anthropology professor with the university's Forensic Science Institute is now taking a closer look at what was uncovered by construction crews last month.

It could take anywhere between six weeks to six months before the study wraps up. The remains will be re-interred at the site, but the big question is where.

Hart, who's overseeing the Crosland development for Chesterfield said the county will work with the developer to pick an appropriate site.

That's if descendants don't come forward during the study phase with another preference. The remains will be reburied with honor.

"A monument placed and a place where they will be protected from vandalism and a place where they can be visited," said Hart.

Construction of the new Kroger never stopped during the dig.

"We've seen the old go down and we're going to see the new rise," said Hart.

The remains weren't on the site of the new store, but where future apartments would be. Relics found with the bones will be cleaned and cataloged and returned to Chesterfield County. The new Kroger is set for a grand opening in early December.

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