This thesis explores how dissonant heritage can be approached as a vehicle for memory, social justice, and cultural recognition, through the case study of the Valongo Wharf. Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is the most important physical trace of the arrival of African slaves on the American continent and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. The site has long been subjected to erasure, marginalization, and silencing, being rediscovered in 2011 through archaeological excavations. Despite its global significance, it still lacks a place dedicated to its memory, interpretation and to show its archaeological findings. One of the main goals is to understand how the slave trade influenced the urban space of Rio de Janeiro and affected the social-political context, leading to the systematic erasure of narratives and forgotten heritage.