Burial site of free and enslaved people of color confirmed beneath Whitefield Square in Savannah

Archeologist Daniel Elliot confirmed a burial site that operated from 1763 to 1844 for free and enslaved people of color underneath Whitefield Square.

(CNN)- On February 20, archeologist Daniel Elliot confirmed a burial site that operated from 1763 to 1844 for free and enslaved people of color underneath Whitefield Square.

“Two out of three early historic maps show it being in this square, part of it. It covers more than just Whitefield Square,” Elliot said.

According to Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier, the discovery is less of a new find and more of a confirmation.

“For many local people, we knew of this history but like mayor said it was considered by some as folklore,” Lanier said.

This confirmation is not a celebratory one.

It is only being discovered now because in 1855, the city decided to dig up an unknown amount of the graves and dump them elsewhere, according to City Archivist Luciana Sprecher.

“Their ancestors were not treated well. And to get that respect even hundreds of years later, still means something,” Sprecher said.

At a city council meeting Thursday, an advisory committee was formed to best care for the space and reclaim its reverence.

Sprecher is the board chair, but she says decisions should not be up to her alone.

“I do not represent them. I love them and I know a lot about the history of Savannah, but it’s still not my story,” Sprecher said.

Estella Shabazz also commented during the meeting.

“Our story has always been a silent story, so when our tourists now come to Savannah, they can see, like we say, all of Savannah. All of the stories of all of Savannah. That’s all I have to say, Mr. Mayor, thank you,” Shabazz said.