Archaeologists Rediscover Early Atlantic Hospital in Cabo Verde

Archaeologists excavating a hillside in Cidade Velha, Cabo Verde, have unearthed the ruins of what may be one of the earliest hospitals in the Atlantic, dating back around 500 years. The hospital appears in historical documentation from as early as the late 15th century, only 30 to 40 years after Cabo Verde’s discovery in 1460. André Teixeira, an archaeologist from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, notes Cabo Verde served as a site for experimentation during Portuguese expansion, necessitating spaces for medical care.

The ongoing excavation, which began a year and a half ago, prompted authorities to revise plans for rehabilitating the UNESCO World Heritage site. The ruins of the Misericórdia complex will house the first museum nucleus of Cidade Velha, supported by funding from the World Bank. Artifacts like ceramic fragments and a pipe believed used for pain relief suggest daily life within the hospital.

The team continues to unearth structures buried by centuries of sediment. The building, abandoned in the 19th century when the capital moved to Praia, once featured infirmaries on a first floor and was closely linked to a religious complex. Future work aims to preserve the site and integrate it into Cabo Verde’s growing tourism sector.