Centuries-Old Skeletons, Coffins Found Under NYC Park

A 200-year-old burial vault was found under New York City's Washing Square Park, in the vicinity of New York University's campus. The vaults were discovered by workers that were replacing water lines in the area, according to a news release.

"We knew we could be encountering remains or other items in this area," Thomas Foley, an associate commissioner from the Department of Design and Construction, said. "We'll do some exploring to discover what other lanes we might have."

One of the vaults was approximately 18-by-15 feet, with remains of skulls and skeletons of about 9 to 12 persons in a corner. A dozen of wooden coffins were in another corner.

Archaeologists have been brought into the ongoing investigation. They are expected to examine the skeletal remains using digital cameras with zoom lenses to take pictures of the coffins and remains. This could enable them to identify the buried remains.

The vaults were most likely built between the 18th and 19th century and belonged to a Presbyterian church in the area at the time.

The project workers plan on leaving the remains undisturbed, and they will find a new route for the water line, according to the report.

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