Archaeology work in old tavern site could delay school's plans

The possible remains of Americans Indians in a South Natick parcel could delay Eliot Montessori School's plans to build a new school.

Town officials said the state plans to start digging on the 4.68-acre site of the old Morse Tavern to see if it contains bones or historical artifacts. The Rte. 16 property is owned by the school and is where the school plans to move.

But the parcel also used to be a center for the Praying Indians before settlers founded Natick. The abandoned tavern that sits on it, called Peletiah Morse Tavern, is from 1749.