"A stout…sailor negro." Agency, Self-Determination, and Material Gain: Black Mariners in the Caribbean Colonial Project.

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions)" , at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Enslaved and free black mariners were an integral component of the Atlantic economy from early in the colonial project. Historians in recent years have artfully demonstrated the presence and significance of black mariners, particularly in the Caribbean. Archaeology has been less adept. Success of colonies was as dependent on black and creole mariners as any other factor, yet could also be its nemesis. Interisland traffic conducted by enslaved mariners could spread news of rebellion along with commodities. An archaeology focused on maritime enslaved is being suggested which must begin by refining theories of material culture that ask new questions. Can assemblages be use to distinguish mariner households in the archaeological deposits? Did enslaved mariners exercise privileged access to material culture and status? Three artifacts from an 18th century labor village on Nevis in the West Indies are speculated upon and interpreted in this context.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SHA 2022 General Sessions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2022

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology