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TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2002

The discovery of the African Burial Ground in New York City was hailed as an historic and monumental find but its handling has been fraught with accusations of racism, numerous delays and other problems.

The burial ground was found in 1991 at the site of a proposed federal building. As many as 20,000 African slaves and their descendants are believed to have been laid to rest there.

The General Services Administration, a federal agency, was the lead on the building project. But instead of immediately preserving the remains, workers dug up about 400 humans at a rapid rate, storing them in such shoddy conditions that "New York Post" wound up imprinted on one skull -- workers had wrapped the bones in newspapers.

A 1992 bill forced GSA to start an ambitious research and development project. Howard University was charged with examining the remains while an interpretive center was to be constructed.

As time went on, the school asked for more money for additional research work. No reports have ever been completed, however.

Meanwhile, plans to finally rebury the remains came and went. A ceremony was set for August 2001, and included the purchase of 420 coffins, but it never happened.

A former GSA official said $22.3 million has been spent to date.

Get the Story:
No Rest for African Burial Ground (The Washington Post 8/27)

Relevant Links:
African Burial Ground - http://r2.gsa.gov/afrburgro/abg.htm