Archaeologists uncover long-lost slave quarters at Old Cahawba

Archaeologists at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park in west Dallas County have uncovered a discovery that sheds new light on Alabama’s first state capital. 

Site Director Dr. William Henry and Assistant Director Jonathan Matthews led the effort to use ground-penetrating radar to find what appears to be the long-lost foundations of slave quarters.  

The search revealed anomalies resembling the quarters documented in 19th-century photographs. Excavation confirmed the presence of brick foundations just beneath the surface, the first time the structure has been exposed in nearly a century.  

“It’s pretty exciting, because this is the first time this building would have seen the light of day since maybe the 1930s,” Henry said. 

The find is significant because historical records are unclear about the fate of the structure. After the main house burned in 1935, the family reportedly moved into one of the slave quarters. Henry believes the missing building was dismantled, and its bricks were used to expand the surviving structure. 

Matthews noted that the discovery challenges long-held assumptions. While folklore suggested the two quarters were identical, GPR data show one was slightly smaller. The smaller building may have been designated for bachelors, while the larger housed families. 

Each building contained two rooms upstairs and two downstairs, offering tight living conditions for the enslaved population.  

“The biggest surprise for me is that these two quarters were not identical structures,” Matthews said. “Our work is uncovering details about Cahawba’s silent majority.” 

The discovery was made during preparations for Old Cahawba’s summer field school, scheduled for June and July 2026. The program will bring 20 students from across the country to study archaeology, history and anthropology in a professional setting. 

“We’re not building a sandbox for them to dig in,” Henry said. “We’re collecting real data.” 

Spots remain open, though applications are filling quickly. Interested students can apply through www.OldCahawba.org.