Archaeology of African American Life

Catalog description

Explores the rapidly growing subfield of historical archaeology which deals with the life and history of African Americans. The history and modern challenges facing this group is conditioned by the historical experience of individuals and communities of African descent with the United States. Unlike many European groups, the historical evidence documenting the experience of African Americans through time is sparse and incomplete. Archaeological investigations offer a primary method for recovering the everyday life experiences of this group. In addition, African American archaeology provides an important intersection for engaging the deep connection between the past and the present in socially meaningful ways. This course will review important case studies, key figure, major issues, and the overall development of African American archaeology.