Race and the archaeology of identity in the modern world

Abstract

Race is not a subject most people associate with archaeological research. Yet because of archaeologists' interest in long time-spans they are perfectly positioned to investigate the “naturalness” of racial designations through time. Race and the Archaeology of Identitybrings together twelve of America's most perceptive and talented historical archaeologists. Their focus is on the recent archaeological record-stretching geographically from Jamaica to northern Michigan; their time frame is from colonial days to the late nineteenth century; and their subjects range from frontier fur traders to Victorian city dwellers. Using textual and archaeological sources, contributors explore such topics as the connections of race to economics, the creation and maintenance of institutionalized poverty, the role of race in structuring and guiding intercultural connections, and the importance of race in creating and defining space. Contributors explore such topics as the connections of race to economics, the role of race in structuring and guiding intercultural connections, and the importance of race in creating and defining space.