The remains were first discovered in 2018, during the redevelopment of a site in Simon’s Town, and after several years in the Simon’s Town Museum, the remains were reburied during a ceremony earlier today.
The remains were discovered on the site where the old VOC Hospital (Dutch East India Company Hospital) stood. A cemetery was created adjacent to the hospital, until a new cemetery was opened at Seaforth in 1813. Today this cemetery is known as the Old Burying Ground.
During preparatory work for the redevelopment of the Sayer’s Lane site in 2018, bones were discovered, prompting a team of archaeologists to excavate the site. All remains found were moved to the Simon’s Town Museum for safekeeping, until they could be reinterred.
From the research conducted, the bones appeared to date back to the late 18th century, and were likely of West European descent – evaluation of the remains in the Netherlands determined that they were most likely Dutch East India Company sailors.
Today, 184 remains spanning 220-279 years ago were reburied, in individual bags within six coffins.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department prepared two gravesites in the Old Burying Ground at Seaforth, to each accommodate three coffins, containing the remains.
The Department will also ensure ongoing maintenance of the site.
The graves will be unnamed as no records of the individual names have been found; however, the Netherlands has provided funding for a memorial stone that will be unveiled at a later stage.
‘An astounding amount of work and research went into this process, and on behalf of the City, I would like to commend every person and organisation who had a hand in unlocking as much information as possible about the remains, and securing their now final resting place. Apart from culminating in a very significant historical account, the reburial will bring dignity to the deceased, who lost their lives in Cape Town, thousands of kilometres away from home and likely without their family’s knowledge,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.
