In November 2019, the Battle of Ridgefield became the subject of intense interest with the finding of human remains under the basement of a historic house, which sits not far from the main engagement. The Ridgefield Historical Society helped to fund forensic analyses of those remains hoping the studies could reveal information about the backgrounds, health, life experiences, and deaths of the four individuals. 

It was soon determined that three of the four remains were those of young, robust, adult males hastily buried in a common, shallow grave where the bodies were commingled with overlapping arms and legs. Laboratories at the University of Connecticut, Yale, Quinnipiac University, University of Florida (Gainesville), and Purdue University  have been performing an extensive range of studies to provide more detail about the identify the remains. 

Among the analyses being performed are osteological and dental analyses, DNA analyses (sex, ancestry, epigenetics), and archaeoentomology to study insect remains preserved with the burials,  , as well as x-ray and CT imaging to better understand injuries and possible pathologies. In addition, the scientists are doing DNA analyses of soil samples from various locations within the burials (like the abdomen, cranium, etc.) to look for pathogen DNA that may offer a better picture of the men’s health, and isotopic analyses to help with ancestry/origin. 

Work on the remains is nearing completion. Results will be compiled by State Archaeologist Sarah Sportman and Yale biological anthropologist Gary Aronsen who have been overseeing the work of the laboratories during the last six years.