19th Century Burial Vault Discovered Under Manhattan's Washington Square Park

A burial vault was uncovered by a water main project at Washington Square Park, city officials said.
A burial vault was uncovered by a water main project at Washington Square Park, city officials said.
A large pile of disarticulated human skeletal remains was found under Washington Square Park by workers from a contractor with the New York City Department of Design and Construction, officials said on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.
A large pile of disarticulated human skeletal remains was found under Washington Square Park by workers from a contractor with the New York City Department of Design and Construction, officials said on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015.

While working on a construction project to replace and upgrade 19th century water mains underneath Washington Square Park, workers from the Department of Design and Construction rediscovered a burial vault, sealed off and filled with human remains.

The vault, which is about 8 feet deep, 15 feet wide and 20 feet long, contained the remains of more than a dozen people, according to officials of the city's Department of Design and Construction. A contractor excavated the site, and archaeologists and anthropologists will be working there to gather more information, officials said Wednesday.

Detailed analysis hasn't been done yet, but they believe the vault dates back to the mid 19th century when the water infrastructure was originally installed. The Croton Aqueduct brought water to the City through the park starting around 1842.

via Newsday

Washington Square Park
Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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