Officials say DNA testing will likely take place of remains found in nearly 100 unmarked graves near Houston that are believed to be the bodies of imprisoned African-Americans who were part of Texas' notorious convict-leasing system from the decades after the Civil War.
The Houston Chronicle reports discussions are ongoing to have a private party pay for the testing. The estimated cost is around $170,000.
The remains were found in April in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land at the construction site of the Fort Bend Independent School District's new technical center.
Community activists have urged the school district to test the remains, saying it could potentially lead to the identification and notification of descendants.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
