Nearly 900 human skeletons have been unearthed at the site of the former San Francisco Convent in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. This significant discovery sheds new light on what life was like during the colonial period in the city.
The finding was the result of a bioarchaeological project led by Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla. One of the main goals of the research is to understand the well-being of people from that era through the analysis of their skeletal remains. According to Adolfo Meisel, the university’s rector, “height is a good indicator of biological well-being,” since it depends on factors such as nutrition, childhood health, and physical labor. Thanks to such markers, researchers can get a clearer picture of the standard of living of Cartagena’s inhabitants in the past.
How were the 900 skeletons in Cartagena discovered?
The skeletons were found during archaeological excavations at the old San Francisco Convent, located in the Getsemaní neighborhood of Cartagena. These excavations were part of a joint research effort between Universidad del Norte and other institutions, aimed at studying human remains from the colonial period.
The remains—about 900 in total—were uncovered in various parts of the convent, both inside and in the surrounding areas. Researchers explained that during colonial times, it was common for elite members of society to be buried within churches or convents, while people from lower social classes were buried in nearby courtyards or outdoor spaces. This led to the discovery of a wide range of skeletal remains, representing different social backgrounds and ethnic origins.
“We’ve found individuals with European, African, and Indigenous ancestry, as well as many showing signs of biological mixing. This tells us a lot about the population’s makeup at the time,” said Javier Rivera, an anthropologist and researcher in the university’s Department of History and Social Sciences.
In addition to the skeletons, researchers also found objects that revealed the coexistence of different belief systems. “We discovered amulets that reflect how Indigenous, African, and Catholic practices blended together. This made Cartagena a unique place where various cultures coexisted,” Rivera added.
Universidad del Norte has confirmed that all materials will be preserved and protected for future research. The collection will be housed at the university’s Mapuka Museum and its archaeology lab, where further study and public outreach will continue.