In the United States historical archaeology, that is, archaeology that draws both on material remains of past cultures and the contemporary written records, is a relatively new field of study. Yet it is one that is growing rapidly in acceptance and importance as traditional prehistoric archaeology struggles with new challenges. Mark Leone of the University of Maryland, one of the most distinguished historical archaeologists in America, is on the cutting edge of this developing discipline.
Since 1982, Leone has directed excavations at several dozen sites around the city of Annapolis, including such diverse places as the U.S. Naval Academy and St. Mary’s Church. So what do archaeologists find in a 300- year-old American town? Lots of things, including printer’s type, ceramics, slave spirit bundles, and the historic landscape. The printer’s type, a skull and crossbones helps tell the story of the hated Stamp Act of 1768, and the spirit bundles illuminate the lives and suffering of African Americans seeking to hold on to their culture.
Leone draws new information from the archaeological record to shed light on the paradox of an America city seeking liberty while promoting slavery and racism. Patriots preach equality while wealth is concentrated in the hands of a very few who survive the American Revolution to become more powerful than before.
Archaeology in Annapolis, as this project is called, is one of the most innovative and successful long-term research projects in the country, and this volume reports on its findings clearly and concisely. In the future we will be seeing many more historical archaeology projects, and this book will set the standard for years to come.
