Valongo Wharf, Archaeological site in port district, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Valongo Wharf is an archaeological site in Rio de Janeiro's port district that reveals multiple layers of paved structures from different construction phases. The excavated remains show the original pier and the buildings that were later constructed on this location.
The site was founded in 1811 as a port facility that processed arrivals from Africa over several decades. In 1843, a new structure was built at this location to receive a royal visitor.
The site preserves religious objects and personal items left by Africans from Congo, Angola, and Mozambique. These artifacts speak to the people who arrived here and the beliefs they carried with them.
The site is located between two streets in the city center and is accessible daily to visitors. Access is managed by a national authority responsible for protecting Brazil's historical heritage.
The excavations revealed two overlapping port facilities from different periods, allowing visitors to see two distinct eras in one location. This layering makes it possible to observe how the place changed over the decades.
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