Life in the Ruins: Logging and Squatting at a 19th Century Village in Southwest Michigan

Summary

In this paper we examine archaeological data from Blendon Landing, a village centered on logging in Southwest Michigan during the mid-nineteenth century. When the logging ceased, most left. However archaeological and historical analysis suggests that a period of squatting occurred following Blendon Landing’s "abandonment". Squatting, as a ‘mode of existence’ outside the primary relations of capitalism, is often neglected in historical and archaeological research. Life, however, does not end with capital accumulation. Blendon Landing was a lively place, even after the predatory nature of capitalism, which devours both human and non-human labor, announced its death. In this paper we aim to abstract a more complete story of Blendon Landing by putting ‘life in the ruins’ back into context. This paper contains an obvious critique of the unnatural, contradictory essence of capitalism. However, at its heart, this paper is about exploring life after capitalism, within the ruins it creates.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions) 2017   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2017

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

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PaperId(s): 177