Remembering ‘Mississippi in Africa’ – A Multidisciplinary Approach to Understanding Prospect Hill and Liberian Colonization is a groundbreaking project that will allow the public to learn about oral histories, uncover material culture, and delve into the bio history of Prospect Hill Plantation in Jefferson County, Mississippi. The public will see a combination of archaeology, cultural anthropology, and the medical humanities recognize past enslavement at this site related to the nineteenth century colonization project known as Mississippi in Africa. This multidisciplinary project will be conducted from July 14, 2024, through August 11, 2024.
It will combine a public archaeology excavation at Prospect Hill with new fieldwork focused on oral history and biohistory. This fieldwork will be the basis of four public talks in multiple counties to collaborate with local communities about the ongoing research on Prospect Hill and the site’s Liberian connections. This multidisciplinary project will further elucidate the history of Prospect Hill and sets the public as a central focus of experiential learning. Prospect Hill’s global history is best learned together and all communities are set to gain a more nuanced understanding of this reverse African diaspora.
Public Presentation #1
Whitaker will give a public presentation and discussion about contemporary historical memory concerning Mississippi among descendants and their neighbors in Sinoe County, Liberia. The presentation and discussion will be open to the general public. This presentation will be scheduled sometime during the first week of the field school.
Public Presentation #2
Matthew Reilly will present broader history of Liberian colonization at the site of Providence Island in Monrovia, Liberia. This presentation will be scheduled sometime during the first or second week of the field school.
Public Presentation #3
Shawn Lambert will present to the public on the recent archaeological discoveries at Prospect Hill, with a heavy focus on spaces of enslavement and working within a community-engaged framework. This presentation will be scheduled sometime during the third week of the field school
Public Presentation #4
Angela Dautartas will give a public presentation on biohistories of the ancestors and descendants of Prospect Hill. She will focus on the benefits of biohistorical analyses in conjunction with the complex histories of enslavement, historical memories, and material culture to better understand this reverse African diaspora. This presentation will be scheduled sometime during the fourth week of the field school.
