Sacred Tradition, Sacred Ground

The rediscovery of the burial ground revealed that Africans and their descendants buried loved ones with dignity and respect in the 17th and 18th centuries. More than 90 percent of the 419 human skeletal remains were wrapped in shrouds (cloths), and most of the bodies were buried in full-sized coffins. Traditional practices continued, including placing pennies over the eyes to keep them closed, and small artifacts such as beads, cowry shells, and cuff links sometimes accompanied the burials. Community activists, politicians, and many others fought vehemently to preserve the burial ground and honor this history and culture, and their efforts led to the designation of 0.34 acre of the African Burial Ground as a national monument.

New York, New York · United States