Overview:

is a historic graveyard containing the remains of slaves of the Newton Plantation. The second-oldest African burial ground in the Western Hemisphere, it was discovered in 2005 and is located on the south coast of the island of Barbados, near the town of Oistins. It is believed to contain the remains of up to 300 individuals and is thought to span about 6 acres of land. It is currently protected as a national heritage site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Barbados
Prominent Features:

The Newton Slave Burial Ground is located outside of Christ Church in Barbados and was discovered in 2005. It is believed to be the final resting place of African slaves from the 17th century. The site was prominently featured in the 2008 documentary Babalú Ayé: God of Affliction by journalist and filmmaker Tanya Wright. The burial ground features several sets of human remains that have been identified as enslaved African people who died during the period of slavery on the island. The remains were found buried beneath the roots of a large, now-dead cotton tree in a small clearing. The bodies had been tightly wrapped in cotton shrouds before being placed in shallow graves. At the burial ground, there is a small monument made of stone that was put in place to remember the former slaves who were buried there. The monument features a granite slab with an inscription in memory of the deceased in both English and the African language of Yoruba. The monument is encircled by a low wall with benches, representing the wall of protection and reverence surrounding the Sacred Ground. The burial ground serves as a reminder of the history of slavery in the Caribbean and has become a place of remembrance, inspiration, and healing for descendants and people of African ancestry. It offers an important reminder of Barbados’ role in the transatlantic slave trade and the need to remember the horrors of this history. In addition to the Newton Slave Burial Ground, another site of interest in Barbados is Christ Church. Located in St. Lawrence Gap, Christ Church is a historical Anglican Parish church dating back to the 1600’s. The church features several stained glass windows, a large altar, and the grave of Samuel Jackman Prescod, the first African elected to parliament in the British Caribbean. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Barbados.

History:

The Newton Slave Burial Ground is a cemetery located on the grounds of Christ Church in Barbados. It is unique as it is the only known cemetery of its kind in Barbados dedicated solely to the burial of slaves. The burial ground was used in the early 18th century when the British established a slave-based system on the island. An estimated 2,000 people were buried in the cemetery during this time, with most of the graves unmarked. The cemetery was discovered in 1978 by a pair of British archaeologists, who found a variety of artifacts, including coffin nails, pottery, and other items. Although the exact ages and origins of the items are unknown, experts believe that they could provide insight into the lives of the slaves buried in the cemetery. Today, the Newton Slave Burial Ground is part of the ministry of the Anglican Diocese of Barbados, and is open to the public. It is a popular tourist attraction that serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of the slave trade. The burial ground is also a reminder of the resilience and strength of the people who have been affected by this part of Barbados’ history. Visit one of the famous monuments of Barbados with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

: 1. It is one of the few remaining sites of its kind in the Caribbean. 2. It is believed to be the oldest Catholic Cemetary still in use in Eastern Caribbean. 3. It is the only site that has been officially certified as a cemetery where the enslaved of Newton Plantation were buried. 4. It is located within the grounds of historic Christ Church Parish Church, which was established in 1628. 5. It contains around 500 slaves in tombstones of varying shapes, sizes, and materials. 6. The inscription on one tombstone indicates that it was erected in 1780, suggesting that the graveyard has been in use for well over two centuries. 7. A memorial to honour the enslaved persons buried in the graveyard was unveiled in 2017. 8. Genetically tested human remains from the Newton Slave Burial Ground have even been used to study the impact of the enslavement of African peoples on today’s Caribbean population. One of the historical monuments of Barbados, it tells the story of a bygone era