In 1991, construction workers in New York City made a startling discovery. While excavating a plot of land for a new federal office building, they unearthed human remains – the skeletal remnants of what would turn out to be a 6.6-acre burial ground containing an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 African men, women and children.
This site, today known as the African Burial Ground National Monument, offers a somber testament to the significant and often unacknowledged role that enslaved Africans played in colonial New York. It reveals a history that many would prefer to forget – a time when New York had more slaves than any American colony outside the South, and where nearly half of the city‘s households held at least one enslaved individual.
Insights from the Graves
The accidental uncovering of the burial ground provided an unprecedented opportunity for archaeologists and historians to learn about the lives of enslaved Africans in the colonial North. Over several months in 1991 and 1992, archaeologists meticulously excavated a small portion of the site, unearthing the remains of 419 individuals as well as nearly 500 burial objects.
Analysis of the skeletal remains painted a grim picture of the harsh realities of slave life in New York. Over 40% of those buried were children under the age of 12. Many of the adults showed signs of severe stress and strain from backbreaking labor, as well as evidence of malnutrition and disease. Some bore marks of physical violence, a sobering reminder of the brutality they faced.
Yet amidst these stories of suffering were also hints of resilience and preserved cultural heritage. Burial objects found at the site included items like glass beads, shells, and metal ornaments, suggestive of traditional African spiritual practices. The presence of these items indicates that despite the dehumanizing conditions of slavery, Africans in New York fought to maintain their cultural identities and traditions.
A Forgotten History
The African Burial Ground‘s very existence speaks to a history that has long been minimized and overlooked – that of slavery in the North. While the slave trade is often associated with the southern states, the reality is that slavery was deeply entrenched in colonial New York from the 17th century onwards.
By the 18th century, enslaved Africans made up around 20% of New York‘s population. They were a ubiquitous presence in the city, laboring in workshops and shipyards, toiling as domestic servants, and working on the docks that powered the colony‘s thriving trade economy.
Enslaved Africans were also instrumental in constructing much of early New York‘s infrastructure. They helped build the wall along Wall Street that gave the famous thoroughfare its name, as well as the first city hall and the first Trinity Church. Yet their contributions have largely been erased from popular narratives of the city‘s rise.
As historian Christopher Moore notes, "The African Burial Ground changes the whole story of New York. It makes the black community‘s presence in colonial New York indelible, undeniable, and unavoidable."
Fighting for Recognition
The effort to properly honor and memorialize the African Burial Ground has been a long struggle. In the months following the site‘s discovery, the African American community rallied to protect the burial ground from disturbance, insisting that the site be treated with dignity and respect.
Their activism paid off. In 1993, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark, and in 2006 it became a National Monument. A memorial designed by architect Rodney Leon was dedicated at the site in 2007, featuring a circular Libation Court, a map of the African diaspora, and a Wall of Remembrance inscribed with historical information and some of the names of the dead.
Yet even with these victories, historians and activists argue that more needs to be done to center the African Burial Ground in our historical memory. "This is not just a story about the past," says anthropologist Michael Blakey, who was part of the research team that studied the site. "It‘s a story about the present and the future, about how we choose to remember and honor those who came before us."
Confronting Hard Truths
Ultimately, the African Burial Ground forces us to confront some of the most painful and shameful chapters of American history. It stands as a stark reminder of the immense human cost of slavery and the depths of injustice and cruelty that shaped our nation‘s foundations.
But in shining a light on this history, the African Burial Ground also opens up space for healing, education and growth. It offers an opportunity to celebrate the lives and legacies of those forgotten by history, and to grapple honestly with the ongoing impacts of slavery and racism.
As we mark the 30th anniversary of the burial ground‘s discovery, its lessons feel more relevant than ever. In a time of renewed calls for racial justice and historical reckoning, the African Burial Ground reminds us of the importance of uncovering the truths that have long been buried. Only by confronting the pain of the past can we hope to build a more just and equitable future.
Visiting the African Burial Ground
The African Burial Ground National Monument is open to the public, offering a space for reflection, learning and tribute. Visitors can explore the outdoor memorial with its thought-provoking design elements, as well as an indoor visitor center with exhibits on the history of the site and of slavery in New York.
Getting to the monument is easy via public transportation. The site is located at 290 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, just north of City Hall Park. The nearest subway stop is Chambers Street on the A, C, 1, 2, or 3 lines. Multiple bus lines also stop nearby.
No trip to New York is complete without paying homage to this deeply moving site. In a city that is always rushing towards the future, the African Burial Ground demands that we pause to remember the past and the countless lives that history has rendered invisible. It is a place of somber reflection, but also of resilience, pride, and hope.
As visitor Simone Raymore wrote in the monument‘s guest book, "This place is sacred ground. It‘s where we can come to honor our ancestors, to remember their sacrifices and their strength. It‘s where we can come to find healing and to commit ourselves to building a better world in their memory."