13.1 The archaeology of the African diaspora in the Americas

The archaeology of the African diaspora in the Americas uncovers the hidden stories of enslaved Africans and their descendants. By examining artifacts, sites, and remains, archaeologists reveal insights into daily life, cultural practices, and resistance strategies of African diaspora communities.

This field bridges gaps in historical records, shedding light on the experiences of marginalized groups. It explores how African cultural traditions persisted and evolved in new contexts, contributing to the formation of distinct African American identities and cultures.

Material Culture of African Diaspora

Archaeological Sites and Artifacts

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  slave shack-1166 | Slave Quarters at the San Francisco Plant… | Michael McCarthy | Flickr View original

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  A monument for the Maroons – Active History View original

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  A monument for the Maroons – Active History View original

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  slave shack-1166 | Slave Quarters at the San Francisco Plant… | Michael McCarthy | Flickr View original

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  A monument for the Maroons – Active History View original

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  slave shack-1166 | Slave Quarters at the San Francisco Plant… | Michael McCarthy | Flickr View original

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  A monument for the Maroons – Active History View original

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• Plantation slave quarters, maroon settlements, and urban African American neighborhoods represent key archaeological sites associated with African diaspora communities
• Modified ceramics, glass beads, cowrie shells, and objects linked to spiritual practices constitute common material culture artifacts found at these sites
• Architectural remains and spatial layouts of African diaspora settlements reflect both African cultural traditions and adaptations to new environments (shotgun houses)
• Zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical evidence provides insights into foodways, subsistence strategies, and medicinal practices (use of okra, black-eyed peas)
• Mortuary archaeology and bioarchaeology of African diaspora cemeteries reveal information about health, demography, and funerary customs (New York African Burial Ground)

Craft Production and Technology

• Archaeological evidence of craft production demonstrates the preservation and adaptation of African technological traditions
• Colonoware pottery exemplifies the continuation of African ceramic techniques in the Americas
• Basket weaving traditions in the Lowcountry of South Carolina showcase the transfer of West African skills
• Metalworking practices, such as blacksmithing, often incorporated African techniques and designs
• Textile production, including quilting and weaving, combined African patterns with new materials

Cultural Transformations in Colonial Contexts

Creolization and Syncretic Practices

• Creolization involved the blending of African cultural practices with European and indigenous American influences, forming new diaspora identities
• Archaeological evidence shows the retention and transformation of African spiritual practices in domestic and communal spaces
• Material culture reflects the development of syncretic religious practices (Vodou, Santería, Candomblé)
• Ritual objects and spatial arrangements in homes and yards indicate the preservation of African cosmologies
• Grave goods and burial practices demonstrate the fusion of African, Christian, and indigenous beliefs

Linguistic and Cultural Adaptations

• Linguistic evidence demonstrates the influence of African languages on creole languages in the Americas (Gullah, Jamaican Patois)
• Place names and lexical borrowings reflect the persistence of African linguistic elements
• Technological adaptations in agriculture, food preparation, and craft production illustrate the transfer and modification of African knowledge systems
• Social organization and kinship structures in diaspora communities preserved elements of African systems while adapting to enslavement and colonial society
• Emergence of distinct African American cultural traditions in music, dance, and oral traditions traced through archaeological and historical evidence (ring shouts, storytelling traditions)

Archaeology of Enslaved Africans

Daily Life and Labor

• Archaeological excavations of slave quarters and work areas provide insights into daily lives, living conditions, and material culture of enslaved individuals
• Analysis of tools, work-related artifacts, and spatial organization of plantation sites reveals information about labor practices, skills, and specializations
• Archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological studies of slave contexts illuminate diet, nutrition, and supplementary food procurement strategies (fishing, foraging)
• Comparative studies of plantation archaeology across different regions highlight variations in enslaved experiences (Caribbean sugar plantations vs. Southern cotton plantations)

Resistance and Agency

• Material evidence of resistance and agency challenges simplistic narratives of passive victimhood
• Hidden caches, escape tools, and repurposed objects demonstrate strategies for maintaining autonomy
• Presence of African-style artifacts and practices indicates cultural resistance and preservation
• Bioarchaeological analysis of skeletal remains from slave cemeteries offers insights into health, demographics, and physical impacts of enslavement (nutritional deficiencies, occupational stress markers)

Interdisciplinary Approaches

• Integration of archaeological data with historical documents and oral traditions provides a more comprehensive understanding of enslaved life beyond official records
• Collaboration with descendant communities enhances interpretation and ethical considerations in African diaspora archaeology
• Use of geophysical survey techniques helps identify hidden or ephemeral features related to enslaved life
• Application of chemical analysis to artifacts reveals trade networks and material sourcing patterns

Race, Identity, and Power in Diaspora Formation

Material Culture and Identity Negotiation

• Archaeological evidence demonstrates how material culture was used to negotiate and express identity within racialized colonial systems
• Personal adornment items, such as jewelry and clothing accessories, reflect both African heritage and adaptation to new social contexts
• Use of European goods by enslaved individuals indicates strategies for asserting status and individuality
• Production and use of Afro-Caribbean ware demonstrates the creation of distinct cultural identities

Spatial Analysis and Power Dynamics

• Spatial analysis of African diaspora settlements reveals patterns of segregation, surveillance, and resistance in relation to dominant power structures
• Layout of plantation landscapes reflects attempts to control enslaved populations and their movements
• Archaeological investigations of maroon communities provide insights into the creation of alternative social orders and resistance to slavery (Palmares in Brazil, Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia)
• Comparative studies of African diaspora sites across different colonial contexts illuminate variations in racial ideologies and their material manifestations (British Caribbean vs. Spanish America)

Economic Strategies and Social Status

• Analysis of consumer choices and access to goods among free and enslaved African Americans reveals economic strategies and expressions of social status
• Presence of imported or luxury items in slave quarters indicates participation in informal economies
• Archaeological evidence of craft specialization demonstrates the development of economic niches within enslaved communities
• Material culture associated with free African American households reflects strategies for navigating racialized societies (use of fine ceramics, European-style architecture)