In Kingston, New York, a group of college students is conducting an archaeological exploration of a centuries-old cemetery for African Americans. The Pine Street African Burial Ground was previously a burial site for people who were enslaved until the late 19th century, when the city expanded and covered the cemetery. Over the last three summers, up to 27 sets of remains have been discovered on the site. The nonprofit organization Harambee Kingston is working to reclaim the cemetery, purchase the land, and create a respectful memorial.
The students, from the State University of New York at New Paltz, are assisting in the excavation process to uncover more information about the people buried there. The cemetery was designated for people who were enslaved in 1750 and continued to be used until 1878. While some graves were marked with stones, many were unmarked, making it challenging to determine who was buried there. The goal is to transform the backyard into a resting place that reflects the African heritage of those interred.
Similar stories of rediscovery and neglect have been uncovered in other locations, such as in Manhattan and Newburgh. The Black Cemetery Network is working to document and preserve African American burial sites that have been overlooked or destroyed. By conducting tests on the remains, such as isotopic and DNA analyses, researchers hope to gain more insight into the lives of those buried at the Pine Street African Burial Ground and potentially identify living descendants.
Harambee Kingston is raising funds to create a memorial at the site, including a tall marker in the center of the yard. The efforts to reclaim this forgotten cemetery highlight the importance of preserving African American history and heritage in communities across the United States.
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