The transfer of the slave market from the region of Rua Primeiro de Março (formerly Rua Direita) to Valongo implied moving the Cemetery of the New Blacks from Largo de Santa Rita to Caminho da Gamboa - today Rua Pedro Ernesto 32, the address of the Instituto Pretos Novos (IPN). New Blacks were the captives who had recently arrived in Brazil. Often, they did not survive the mistreatment during the journey from Africa and died shortly after disembarking.

 

The archaeological site was discovered in 1996, when residents were renovating their home. Archaeologists identified thousands of fragments of remains of young men, women, and children, newly arrived Africans.

 

Considered the largest slave cemetery in the Americas, it is estimated that 20,000 to 30,000 people were buried there, although official records indicate that the number is lower, at 6,122 between 1824 and 1830. Their bodies were thrown into ditches and burned. The area also served as a garbage dump, which reveals the undignified treatment of enslaved Africans. In addition to human bones, there were also belongings of the new blacks, such as food scraps and everyday objects discarded by the population. Analysis of the site found that most of the bones belong to children and adolescents.

 

Today the house functions as a cultural center for the recovery of the history of African culture and offers courses and workshops, as well as a library on Black themes.

 

The IPN is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 1 pm to 6 pm. To visit on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, you must schedule an appointment by calling (21) 2516-7089.