Archaeology of Removal in North America

This volume explores the archaeology of human removal, focusing on material culture and the built environment at various sites from colonization to the present. It addresses topics such as class, race, memory, identity, and violence, and highlights the ways in which uprooted people challenge stereotypes and popular narratives. The research also exposes the pervasive violence exerted on prison populations and the unexpected consequences of removal.

Format: Hardback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2019
Publisher: University Press of Florida

This collection of case studies explores the diverse settings and circumstances in which individuals or groups of people have been compelled to relocate from one geographical location to another. Through a comprehensive examination of archaeological evidence, contributors aim to unravel the intricate details surrounding human removal. The case studies presented herein cover a wide range of historical periods, from the colonization of North America to the present day. Contributors focus their attention on material culture and the built environment, examining the impact of removal on colonial villages, frontier farms, industrial complexes, natural disaster areas, and other sites of displacement.

The essays in this volume address a range of topics, including class, race, memory, identity, and violence. One essay delves into the connection between mapmaking and the forced relocation of the Mississippi Chickasaw people to Oklahoma. Another essay employs archival research to challenge the establishment of the National Park Service and the displacement of Appalachian mountain communities. It highlights how uprooted people challenged stereotypes and popular narratives propagated by mass media. Excavations of a World War II-era Japanese American internment camp provide a poignant illustration of how incarcerated individuals forged new social networks to preserve their cultural identities. Research on other carceral sites sheds light on the ways in which banishment from society obscures the pervasive violence exerted on prison populations.

In the concluding chapter, the authors grapple with the unexpected consequences of removal. While archaeologists may benefit from the discovery of sites previously ignored by the historical record, the authors emphasize the ethical considerations involved in studying and interpreting these sites. The case studies presented herein broaden our understanding of displacement by identifying parallels with removal experiences occurring today. As they shed light on ongoing global problems of removal, these case studies point to ways descendants, victims, and indigenous people have sought and continue to seek justice, healing, and recognition for their experiences.

Overall, this collection offers a valuable contribution to the field of archaeology by providing a comprehensive examination of the agents, causes, processes, and effects of human removal. It serves as a reminder of the profound impact that displacement has had on individuals, communities, and societies throughout history and highlights the ongoing relevance of archaeological research in addressing these issues.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813056395