African Burial Ground
· The African Burial Ground is acknowledged as one of the most significant
American archeological discovers in the 20th century, because of the astonishing amount of remains found, and the rich culture it exposed.
· The African Burial Grounds were actually found by accident. In 1991 the construction of the Federal office building had been planned, when workers came across human remains about 20 feet below the surface.
· The remains found uncovered many details about the lives of African Americans (free and enslaved) buried there from 1690-1794. Nine percent of the burials were children under the age of 2, a death rate that was extremely disproportional to the population. Research on the remains showed malnourishment, delayed bone development, overworking in labor, and illness.
Were the Africans not allowed to be buried anywhere else or was this just the place where only Africans happened to be buried?
ReplyDeleteThis was super interesting. What do the symbols connected to the women and children mean ?
ReplyDeleteI found this description at the museum site:
Delete"Signs, symbols, images of the African Diaspora are engraved around the perimeter wall encircling the Libation Court. These symbols come from different areas and cultures throughout the Diaspora especially Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Symbolic meaning is described below the image. As one circumambulates around the perimeter of the court and spirals down the processional ramp, these symbols present themselves as a reminder of the complexity and diversity of African culture’s manifestation. They all come together to form a communal place and a reminder of the ABG being an international center of gathering."
The site does not address specific symbols but if you Google "African Burial Ground symbols", there's some neat stuff about specific symbols ...
I think someone had said they were all facing towards Africa. Do you know if there is a specific person who decided to do this?
ReplyDeleteI think I said this, but I am unaware of any single person who decided to do this. I guess it was more of a community decision, perhaps to honor their ancestry and origin in a foreign land.
DeleteHow come the bodies were moved under lumps of land? Why weren't they given coffins or even graves?
ReplyDeleteat a rough estimate, how many slaves were buried on NYC?
ReplyDeleteAlli - any answers?
ReplyDelete