As the revitalization program for the historic Colonial City in the National District continues, the digging of old streets and areas to install new water, electricity and telecom pipes has brought to light some interesting archaeological discoveries. The most recent are the human remains found adjacent to the Church of Our Lady of Carmen.
The National Monumental Assets Agency (DNPM) tghat oversees the renewal program has guaranteed that all of the archaeological protocols regarding the discoveries of the very old human remains as well as ceramics from centuries ago will be followed.
It appears that during the colonial period, it was customary for the faithful to request burial in the ground nearest to the church. This can be seen at the century-old church in Santa Barbara de Samana, where there is a tiny graveyard just feet from the church. In Santo Domingo, the cemetery on Independence Avenue was not begun until 1824, during the years of the Haitian Occupation, and, at that time, it was well outside the city walls.
Regarding the newly found items, the DNPM has insisted that everything will be examined to determine if there are relevant archaeological valuables present, and the remains will be respected and preserved.
The Church of Our Lady of Carmen was built around 1615, on lands donated by the San Andres hospital. The earliest burials have been dated to around 1660, but there are no headstones or markers that might supply identity to the remains.
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Listin Diario
26 May 2025