Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY

Brooklyn College completed three seasons of excavations from 1990-1992 at the Van Cortlandt Mansion in Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx and uncovered an intact prehistoric shell midden and two large deposits of 17th-19th century artifacts. The mansion was built in 1748-49. Home of the Van Cortlandt family, important in NY society and politics in the 18th and 19th centuries. Once the center of a busy farmstead, the mansion sits alone in Van Cortlandt Park. Excavations in 1990-92, 2003 and 2005 produced a large number of artifacts, including pottery and objects of daily use, as well as uncovering architectural features which gave a better picture of the construction, history and use of the house and grounds. This collection is within the NYC Archaeological Repository and the site is open to the public.

Click here to see the Archaeological Investigations at Van Cortlandt Park, the Bronx, 1990-1992