Several years ago, in rural Southern Colorado, sparsely-populated Costilla County, near the New Mexico border, a white male bought 2.5 acres of off-grid raw land and built a small cabin. While exploring his high-desert land of sagebrush, he discovered some old bones and artifacts.

The County Sheriff said the bones were very old, not a homicide investigation. The State Archaeologist inspected the site and said the bones were Native American.  Native people have lived and hunted in the San Luis Valley along the Rio Grande for 10,000 years.

The landowner did not feel comfortable owning the land, so he donated it to the Ute Tribe.  They honored him for his generosity in a public ceremony.  We have two Ute Indian reservations in southwest Colorado.

Some tribes buried warriors with their horses and weapons for use in the next life.

There are about 150 wild horses that roam the area, along with many deer, elk, and antelope. Recently several open-range buffalo were photographed roaming on Wild Horse Mesa.

Fred,

I have always wondered about that.  Our next door neighbor in Los Angeles told us the original owner of the estate, which was later subdivided in smaller estates was buried under their big ficus tree which was over 100 years old.  Their ive in housekeeper used to commune with him. When they sold it, I have no idea whether or not they disclosed it.  

That is what I know other than encountering American Indian Burial Land...A

I have never had such a problem and doubt that I will. I did list a house once that had a dog buried in the back yard and the grave marked as such.

It's funny you should ask that today because I am doing a deal right now where not bodies but just ashes with gravestones are on a property. The seller is going to remove the gravestones and ashes which are in urns.

This reminds me of the developer who spent good money, time and resources on a project, began it, made progress and then found a pair of 100 year old chopsticks of which the Chinese community banded together to halt the project because of historic concerns. If one wishes to rely on this type of thinking I have no trouble believing there are dinosaur bones, petrified amoebas, dead bodies of everything especially sea creatures scattered throughout the world's earth and we trod , build and travel upon it. They have even found cities and dwellings built on top of other cities and dwellings some going back centuries and multi-layered too. I wanted to build on vast open space one day only to be told to check with all the listed Indian Tribes for permission. When I did, some said no claims and others claimed their ancestors long dead but still roam the area as sacred ground. I have discovered the best way to deal with anything is before hand, discreetly and all rest in peace if we use common sense here. Alas

Ever see the video Poltergeist? (Smile) They're HHhhhhhere. Have had quarter acre family plots on property sales, cemeteries that border a piece of real estate. In Maine, the fence around it, respect for those er ... resting there in peace is a given. The towns even put out for bid who mows the final resting grounds. Also, haunted properties. Those cost more and some become the fodder for the next Stephen King book or movie screen play.

No, never, Fred. 

Interesting subject, thank you for this question. Will read answers from experienced agents.

I sold a historic home that was a former church. There was a cemetery attached. Many comments and I learned a lot about how the general public feels about this situation. 

Yes, but it wasn't a problem.  Seems like people these days are more accepting to have cemeteries on their property. I have heard horror stories where people bought properties with cemeteries on them, then posted  no trespassing signs around it and refused to allow family members onto their property to visit deceased. One lady even refused to allow a lady to be buried in the cemetery next to her husband. It can get ugly.

I just sold a 194 year old property with graves and an easement from the neighboring church to access them.  It was disclosed in a survey attached to the home, and shown on a tour when the seller and I met the buyers and buyer's agent on the property.  

I've heard of that happening, never experienced it.

Abandoned grave sites and relocated grave yards have become a CHRONIC problem in the Tampa Bay area. This is not just about development but long established structures and businesses having to respond to rumor regarding a story told by Great, great, great grandma about the graves that existed somewhere over there. Outcome: Ground penetrating radar and  Provide public access to the site or relocate the graves.

Hi Fred not exactly on the property but right next door to the home was a smaller cemetery that had been there for many, many years.  Mind you this was in Paradise Valley in a sought after area of higher priced homes all on an acre or more of land. This home was designed by the architect who lived there and it was AWESOME.  Included a guest home and 6 car garage.  Now wasn't going to love all that plus it had very quiet neighbors!!

Sold fast to a car buff. Not surprising....

I have not experienced this, Fred.  

No I haven't had it where the graves were on the site itself. Did have it next door & everyone was freaked.

There is no land around here for that to happen to.

Most properties have a pet cemetary of some sort on them, the closest to a human cemetary was a property that we set up a timber sale on many years ago.

Good morning Fred. After a long career I thought I had exposure to everything even selling property at the rear of a cemetary for residential development but this is one I missed!

Here in rurl NH is is common and many old farms, estates and homes had family plots. In some cases the plots are sub-divided into their own lot and deeded to the town. 

I sold a parcel to a builder in Frederick's Historic District and the City made him do an archaeological dig before issuing a building permit. It was said their could have been an old slave burial ground on the lot at one time. They found nothing and it just added to the cost to develop.

My neighbor's house has a cat grave.  The guy who used to live there worked in the funeral business na dhad a million cats.  It was a small grave marker.  The new (current) owners left it there.  It is out of the way, and and interesting curiosity of the house.

No I haven't. I look forward to hearing how you do with this.

a buyer "found" graves after a purchase of a large tract I sold.  He actually was refunded some portion of money based on price per acre minus cemetery size.  Must give access to people who might wish to visit.  No one has ever "come to visit" and his wife cleaned it up and put a lovely little fence around it and made it look nice.  Graves are so old all markings are nearly gone, births look to be 1800s

Can they be "moved" like an archelogical dig to another location? Find Kumeyaay Tribal Liaisons who might want to have these remains?  Archealogical Studies Professors who might have students work on the site and prepare? https://classics.fsu.edu/research-and-resources/archaeological-fieldwork  It's outdoor work, seller could provide PPE, porta potty what ever they need???