Archaeogenomic Analysis of Nineteenth-Century Burials at Saint Mary's Basilica: An Intersectional Analysis of Religion, Race, and Migration

Objectives

The Basilica of Saint Mary's of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk, Virginia, is the only predominantly African American basilica in the United States. A community-based archaeogenomic investigation was carried out at this church to investigate the history of its previous congregants.

Materials and Methods

Five burials were selected for excavation and archaeological analysis. The skeletal remains of these past congregants were assessed to determine age, sex, and preservation status. Ancient DNA was extracted at the University of Connecticut's ancient DNA laboratory.

Results

Five burials excavated at the basilica yielded four sets of human remains of variable preservation and sex. Interment location, style, and positioning of the burials suggested that they belong to the earlier Saint Patrick's church (AD 1790s to 1856), which once stood adjacent to the current basilica. Osteological analyses indicated the presence of four adults and one infant. Ancient DNA results for three of the adults indicated that they were genetically affiliated with contemporary populations in Europe, specifically the United Kingdom, France, and Spain. Interestingly, the autosomal and uniparental lineages of two adults showed connections to Spanish populations, with one having a unique L3f1b mitochondrial DNA haplotype tracing back to northern Spain.

Conclusions

Using an intersectional theoretical framework grounded in historical research, we assess these findings to understand the lived experiences of these past congregants in the context of religion, race, and migration in early nineteenth-century Norfolk. Overall, this study highlights the value of an interdisciplinary archaeogenetic approach in exploring the intersectional lives of historic populations.