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Excavating the Histories of Slave-Trade and Pirate Ships

Property, Plunder and Loss

Lynn Brenda Harris editor Valerie Ann Johnson editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Published:19th May '22

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Excavating the Histories of Slave-Trade and Pirate Ships cover

This edited volume brings new perspectives on the topic maritime archaeology of the slave trade in the Caribbean. The book focuses on shipwrecks of the slave trade in the 18th century and suggests that there is a more complex and challenging social narrative than has previously been discussed. The authors examine biographies of ships, crew members, voyage logs, cargo inventories, trader correspondence and contextual analysis of the artifact assemblages to bring new insights into the microeconomics and maritime traditions of these floating prisons. The illustrious biography of Captain Edward Thache (aka Blackbeard) reveals past identities as a naval officer, slave trader, and pirate. Categories of artifacts in archaeological collections represent cultural connections and traditions of enslaved Africans. The volume includes several case studies that inform these narratives and examines slave ships such as la Concorde, Henrietta Marie, Whydah, La Marie Seraphique and Marquisde Bouillé.

Within the larger context of slave trade during the 18th century, authors explore legal and illegal trade in the British West Indies. These studies also address the plethora of social, political, and environmental impacts on these island communities that played an integral and strategic role in slave trade economics. This volume presents up-to-date research of professional maritime historians, artifact curators, and marine archaeologists drawing upon primary source documents, artwork, and material culture. The research collaborators reconstruct the international spheres of colonial North America, Europe, Africa, and West Indies. It is an interwoven narrative, both unique and typical, to the social and economic dynamics of 18th century Atlantic World.

“Johnson wraps up the volume by identifying the common threads of the slave trade and piracy and how the researchers have approached their subjects and overcome challenges associated with each. The result is a well-written synthesis of research relating to the maritime slave trade, with a dash of piracy thrown in. This volume sets the standard for research on this topic as more ships are discovered and investigated.” (Charles Ewen, Journal of Maritime Archaeology, Vol. 18 (4), 2023)

ISBN: 9783030962326

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

232 pages

1st ed. 2022