The Lost Graves of Louisiana’s Enslaved People

Historical maps. The descendants of enslaved people. And multibillion dollar petrochemical companies. These elements converge in a story about the hidden burial grounds of Louisiana’s enslaved people, and how continued industrial development is putting the historic sites at risk.

In this video, we reveal what is hiding in plain sight: the possible burial grounds of enslaved people who were forced to work these plantations 200 years ago. Their locations have remained a mystery, until now.

Using a new study from the research group Forensic Architecture, we looked at historical maps and aerial photos, drone footage, satellite imagery and went to Louisiana to find these concealed graves. Their research uses a technique called cartographic regression, which is used by archeologists to travel back in time to see how the land has changed.

The research shows how even a single tree can be a crucial marker.