New York African Burial Ground Archaeology Final Report, Volume 1. Chapter 3. The Archaeological Site

This chapter focuses on the archaeological site as such. We discuss the original landscape in the vicinity of the historic African Burial Ground, and then turn to the 1991-92 excavation site, which was a much smaller area, and show its location superimposed on historic maps. We look at physical impacts to the African Burial Ground that occurred during the active life of the cemetery, and then summarize the development of the site over the two hundred years between the closing of the cemetery and its rediscovery. Damage sustained to the site during the archaeological project is described. We then discuss overall site stratigraphy, the condition of the graves, and preservation factors.