PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – An archaeological review of a 300-year-old graveyard for blacks discovered in Portsmouth that the people buried there likely were slaves.

The study by Independent Archaeological Consulting said that one of the eight bodies unearthed showed signs of repetitive forearm rotation and possible inflammation in the right leg – likely caused by repeated shoveling and other strenuous work.

Senior researcher Ellen Marlatt says any information archaeologists can gather about the remains is essential because the site is the only known African-American cemetery of its age in New England.

Archaeologists say there may be as many as 200 other graves in the area. The graves were found during a sewer project in October 2003.

The city plans to build a memorial at the site.

AP-ES-01-17-06 1632EST