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Archaeologists Hunt For History At Malcolm X's Roxbury Home

ROXBURY (CBS) - At 72 Dale Street in Roxbury, little pieces of American history are popping up and homeowner Rodnell Collins is overwhelmed by what he finds.

This landmark home was the residence of Malcolm X and his sister Ella Little Collins. They both lived here in the early 1940s.

Rodnell Collins
Rodnell Collins holding picture of his uncle, Malcolm X (WBZ-TV)

Rodnell is Ella's son and Malcom X's nephew. "He held me in his arms as a baby and I buried him. I covered his body and identified his body at the morgue with my mother and I," Collins said.

Rodnell owns the house now. On Tuesday, he along with archaeologists from the Boston Landmark Commission were digging around the home.

Malcolm X
Artifacts found at Malcolm X's Roxbury home (WBZ-TV)

"We want to find the personal items like clothing and jewelry that can tell us about the family itself," City Archeologist of Boston Joseph Bagley said.

Rodnell says he hopes this treasured landmark will one day be restored. "It's important for us as a family to tell about Malcolm X legacy and the shoulders he stood on," Rodnell said.

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