Burial Sites Preservation
About Burial Sites Preservation
All burial sites in Wisconsin are protected by State Law, no matter how old they are or who is buried in them, and no matter if they are marked or unmarked.
There are many kinds of burial sites in Wisconsin, from Native American mounds to Civil War cemeteries. Wisconsin's oldest burial sites date from the end of the last Ice Age, almost 10,000 years ago. The youngest are in use today.
Nowadays known burial sites are rarely excavated. Instead, the focus has shifted to cataloguing them and leaving them alone whenever possible. Excavation often does take place within sites where it is unclear if human remains are present, and often with a qualified archaeologist on site to monitor the work and ensure that human remains are quickly recognized if they appear.
Wisconsin Burial Preservation Law
Wisconsin burial sites are protected by Wis. Stats. 157.70, the Burial Sites Preservation Law. The law is further clarified by two administrative codes: HS 1, which guides the Burial Sites Preservation Board, and HS 2, which guides the Burial Sites Preservation Program.
The Wisconsin
Burial Sites Catalog
The Wisconsin Burial Sites Catalog is a list of human burial sites. The catalog is used to determine which level of protection a burial site should receive under Wisconsin state law. The Wisconsin Historical Society is tasked with maintaining this list, recording new burial sites, and refining burial site boundaries as appropriate. It is part of the Wisconsin Archaeological Sites Inventory (ASI) in the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Database (WHPD).
Learn About WHPDParticipate in Burial Site Preservation
While much of burial site preservation happens at the administrative level, there are things you can do to engage in burial site preservation! Being informed about potential burial sites on your property, understanding the legal process for working in burial sites, and becoming a member of the Wisconsin Registry of Interested Persons for burial sites that you care about are wonderful ways to help preservation continue.
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Contact Local Law Enforcement
Notify local law enforcement about the burial site disturbance so that they can document the incident and investigate.
If human remains or suspected human remains have been exposed, let law enforcement know so they can determine if the remains are forensically or archaeologically significant.
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Notify the Wisconsin Historical Society
Notify the Wisconsin Historical Society at the toll-free number and at contact the Burial Sites Preservation Office.
In your report to the Wisconsin Historical Society, provide the location of the disturbance, a description of what is occurring, and if you contacted local law enforcement. The Society will coordinate with law enforcement to investigate the disturbance.
Reports to the Wisconsin Historical Society can be anonymous.
Reporting A Burial Site Disturbance
Unauthorized disturbances to human burial sites are prohibited by state law. You should report a disturbance if:
- People are digging within the boundaries of a burial site without authorization from the Wisconsin Historical Society.
- Human remains or suspected human remains have been exposed.
- Native American mounds are being damaged.
Vandalized Cemeteries
If you notice that tombstones in a marked cemetery have been knocked over or vandalized, but see that no digging or other ground disturbance has taken place, you do not need to contact the Wisconsin Historical Society. Instead, notify local law enforcement as soon as possible.
The Burial Sites Preservation Board is an independent panel that helps to administer Wisconsin's burial sites law.
Contact Us Today!
You can contact the below offices by phone or by email using the links:
Archaeology: 608-264-6496
Review and Compliance: 608-261-2457
Historic Buildings: 608-264-6502
Burial Sites Preservation: 608-264-6464
National Register of Historic Places: 608-264-6502
Certified Local Governments: 608-264-6512
Report Burial Discovery Emergencies (Toll-Free in WI): 800-342-7834
