Landscapes of Slavery in Africa

Slavery had a significant impact on the African landscape, including the capture, transfer, and imprisonment of captives and the avoidance strategies used by vulnerable communities. This volume explores how archaeology can help us understand these landscapes and advocate for the power of archaeology to remember and commemorate slavery in places where its history has been forgotten or obscured.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 142 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Slavery was a pervasive and profound phenomenon that left an indelible imprint on the African landscape, manifesting itself in various tangible ways. Through the capture, transfer, and imprisonment of captives, as well as the defensive strategies employed by vulnerable communities to resist enslavement, slavery etched its mark on the continent. The expansion of trade routes, the depopulation of slave regions, and the heightened reliance on defensive architecture and hidden locations all bear witness to the intricate connections between slavery and slavery in Africa.

However, how do we perceive these landscapes of slavery today? And can archaeology play a role in unraveling the complexities of these historical landscapes?

This volume, comprising contributions from scholars based in Senegal, Ghana, Mauritius, Tanzania, and Kenya, addresses these critical questions head-on. The authors passionately advocate for the transformative power of archaeology in untangling the often intricate and convoluted landscape histories that extend both before and beyond the era of slavery. They also stress the crucial role of archaeologists in reimagining how we remember and commemorate slavery in regions where its history has been forgotten, obscured by European colonialism, or sanitized and simplified for tourist consumption.

The chapters included in this book were originally published in a special issue of the Journal of African Diaspora Archaeology and Heritage, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in understanding the multifaceted aspects of slavery and its legacy.

Through their insightful analyses and compelling arguments, the authors of this volume shed light on the rich tapestry of African landscapes, illuminating the enduring legacies of slavery and its impact on the people and places of the continent. Their work serves as a valuable contribution to the field of archaeology, offering new perspectives and methodologies for exploring the complex and often hidden histories of slavery.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367639600