St. Patrick’s Basilica Brick Wall Rehabilitation Project | Archaeology Historical Resource Services

HARS conducted the Archaeological Monitoring of the rehabilitation of the brick wall surrounding the church and cemetery of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, built in the early to mid-19th century. — AHRS conducted the Archaeological Monitoring of the rehabilitation of the brick wall surrounding the church and cemetery of St. Patrick’s Basilica, built in the early to mid-19th century.

SERVICES:
Archaeological Monitoring for Landmarks Preservation Commission Permit

LOCATION:
Manhattan, New York

CLIENT:
Acheson Doyle Partners Architects and the Archdiocesan Building Commission

The Project entails the rehabilitation of the brick wall surrounding the church and cemetery, built in the ea rly to mid-19th century. The church is a NYC Landmark and, therefore, requires a NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) Permit to work on the Landmark property. Part of the LPC Permit is to conduct archaeological monitoring for historic burials during the excavation within the cemetery boundaries for the buttress’s and pile caps.

AHRS conducted the Archaeological Monitoring brickwall2 for the project site which included the monitoring of excavations to determine if burials were present and if present to disinter the remains temporarily. Any remains were stored in the church’s crypts and then reinterred within the cemetery during the back filling of the excavations. The archaeological monitoring revealed encountered several intact burial, some of which could be avoided, and a few reburials done during the construction of the original brick wall. As part of the monitoring a brief osteological review was conducted on the remains to ensure no non-human remains were reburied. A monitoring report was submitted to LPC.