Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Valongo Wharf Archaeological Site from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Black African migrant women in the state of Rio de Janeiro: From diaspora to resistance, from social hope to the rewriting of their territory (19th–21st centuries)

  Black African migrant women in Rio de Janeiro have been pivotal in transforming spaces of trauma into territories of identity and plural futures through resistance, spirituality, cuisine, art, and community organization. This long-term analysis (19th–21st centuries) reveals that their agency, rooted in diasporic experiences and social hope, challenges structural violence while reshaping cultural landscapes. The study examines four key axes: 1) the recreation of transethnic identities in the 19th century; 2) the political re-signification of Valongo Wharf; 3) strategies of resistance within the Cabinda diaspora; and 4) the protagonism of these women, from historic 'Bahian aunts' to contemporary entrepreneurs. Anchored in decolonial feminism and Freire's pedagogy, the research positions these women as epistemic subjects whose actions rewrite their territories, offering a model for reclaiming narratives and spaces.

  Ben Oliveira da Silva, F., Gloria Nunes Andrade, R., & Helena Ferraz Ayres, H. (2026). Mulheres migrantes africanas negras no estado do Rio de Janeiro: Da diáspora à resistência, da esperança social à reescrita de seu território (séculos XIX–XXI). Revista Inclusiones, 13(2), e3889. https://doi.org/10.58210/rie3889

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• Urban Slavery

  Archaeological research reveals the often-invisible presence of enslaved individuals in urban settings, highlighting their significant role in economies and societies across Pompeii, Brazil, Charleston, and New Orleans. The study identifies key locations—such as Valongo Wharf in Rio de Janeiro and St. Peter Street cemetery in New Orleans—where material evidence of slavery is preserved. By analyzing documents like fugitive slave advertisements, property records, and funerary artifacts, the research reconstructs the lived experiences and shared cultural practices of enslaved communities. The findings underscore the importance of commemoration efforts in fostering remembrance and healing.

  Benefiel, R. R., Gray, D. R., Joseph, J. W., & Lima, T. A. (2026). Urban Slavery. The Oxford Handbook of the Comparative Archaeology of Slavery, 241–281. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780197551295.003.0009

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• Valongo Wharf and Gadsden’s Wharf: A Comparative Approach to Two Sites of Memory of Atlantic Slavery (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Charleston, South Carolina)

  Valongo Wharf in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina, serve as pivotal sites of memory for the Atlantic slave trade, revealing how past atrocities shape contemporary racism. A comparative analysis shows that both wharves, part of UNESCO's 'Routes of Enslaved Peoples' project, are contested spaces where narratives of slavery and its legacies are constructed through the influences of Black movements, scholars, and public authorities. The study highlights the tension between privileged and silenced memories, demonstrating how these sites reflect ambiguities in remembering slavery while reinforcing its enduring impact on society.

  Suiama, S. G. (2025). Valongo Wharf and Gadsden’s Wharf: A Comparative Approach to Two Sites of Memory of Atlantic Slavery (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Charleston, South Carolina). Genealogy, 9(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy9010009

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• Valongo Wharf

  Valongo Wharf, a UNESCO World Heritage site tied to the transatlantic slave trade, serves as a contested space for public memory. While it celebrates African heritage and cultural expressions, its memorialization process risks domesticating Black culture within dominant ideologies, overlooking its potential to address racism in contemporary Brazil. The study analyzes how local, national, and international actors—including Black movements, intellectuals, and officials—shape the site's narrative, highlighting power dynamics that influence who controls access to resources and narratives. Federal neglect in developing an interpretation center further limits public understanding of the site’s significance. This research underscores the need for equitable recognition of racial histories to prevent the recurrence of racism.

  Suiama, S. G. (2025). Valongo Wharf. Radical History Review, 2025(152), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1215/01636545-11609947

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• Nada além de contas

  A striking contrast emerges between the glass beads found with African captives buried at Rio de Janeiro’s Pretos Novos cemetery and those recovered from the Valongo Wharf. The analysis of 223 beads revealed an overwhelming prevalence of low-value, small, simple, and white beads—likely reflecting the extreme deprivation endured by newly arrived captives. This finding challenges earlier typologies associated with established enslaved communities in Rio de Janeiro. The study employed quantitative and qualitative methods to establish a standard for these artifacts, offering new insights into the material culture of African captives during the transatlantic slave trade.

  Alves Chá Chá, J. G., & Lessa, A. (2025). Nada más que cuentas. Vestígios - Revista Latino-Americana de Arqueologia Histórica, 18(1), 29–56. https://doi.org/10.31239/vtg.v18i1.46455

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• Shaping Plural Identities After Gross Human Rights Violations: The Role of Transitional Justice and Sites of Memory

  International legal mechanisms and sites of memory can effectively transform societal identities post-gross human rights violations, fostering inclusivity and alterity over fear. This study demonstrates that integrating transitional justice—such as international trials and institutionalized memory sites—into legal and cultural frameworks prevents historical erasure while recognizing victims' dignity. The Valongo Wharf case illustrates how symbolic and legal acknowledgment of atrocities promotes reconciliation, offering a blueprint for just and inclusive futures. The research employs interdisciplinary analysis from legal studies, historiography, and international relations to highlight the potential of memory work in mitigating violence's legacy.

  Fasano, R. R. (2025). Shaping Plural Identities After Gross Human Rights Violations: The Role of Transitional Justice and Sites of Memory. Law, Culture and the Humanities. https://doi.org/10.1177/17438721251355931

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• Caminhos e descaminhos do patrimônio arqueológico do Cais do Valongo (Rio de Janeiro)

  Valongo Wharf, recognized as the most significant physical evidence of enslaved Africans' arrival in the Americas by UNESCO, faces critical challenges in preservation and public recognition despite its 2017 World Heritage designation. Research reveals that coordination gaps between government levels, insufficient funding, and policy implementation delays hinder the site's potential as a memory site for African diaspora history. The absence of an interpretation center further limits educational opportunities on slavery and contemporary race issues. This analysis, based on judicial and administrative proceedings, underscores the need for stronger governance to fully realize Valongo Wharf's heritage value.

  Gardenghi Suiama, S. (2025). Caminos y desvíos del patrimonio arqueológico del Muelle de Valongo (Río de Janeiro). Vestígios - Revista Latino-Americana de Arqueologia Histórica, 19(2), 91–112. https://doi.org/10.31239/rap61667

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