Trans‐Atlantic slavery
Isotopic evidence for forced migration to Barbados
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 8319623 |
|---|---|
| Authors | H Schroeder (0000-0002-6743-0270, University of Oxford, corresponding author), T C O''Connell (0000-0002-4744-0332, University of Cambridge), Jane Evans (0000-0003-3667-494X, British Geological Survey), Jane A Evans, K A Shuler (0000-0002-1352-9451, Auburn University), Robert E M Hedges |
| Year | 2009 |
| Volume | 139 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 547-557 |
| Publication date | 2009-08-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | American Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/ajpa.21019 |
| PMID | 19350619 |
| OpenAlex | W2124918682 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 82 |
| References cited | 65 |
The question of the ultimate origin of African slaves is one of the most perplexing in the history of trans‐Atlantic slavery. Here we present the results of a small, preliminary isotopic study that was conducted in order to determine the geographical origin of 25 enslaved Africans who were buried at the Newton plantation, Barbados, sometime between the late 17th and early 19th century. In order to gain a more nuanced understanding of the slaves' origin, we used a combination of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and strontium isotope analyses. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were determined in bone and dentinal collagen; oxygen and strontium isotopes were measured in tooth enamel. Results suggest that the majority of individuals were born on the island, if not the estate itself. Seven individuals, however, yielded enamel oxygen and strontium ratios that are inconsistent with a Barbadian origin, which strongly suggests that we are dealing with first‐generation captives who were brought to the island with the slave trade. This idea is also supported by the fact that their carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values differ markedly between their teeth and bones. These intra‐skeletal shifts reflect major dietary changes that probably coincided with their enslavement and forced migration to Barbados. While it is impossible to determine their exact origins, the results clearly demonstrate that the slaves did not all grow up in the same part of Africa. Instead, the data seem to suggest that they originated from at least three different areas, possibly including the Gold Coast and the Senegambia. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc
Archaeology · Art · Biology · Enamel paint · Geochemistry · Geography · Isotope analysis · Isotopes of carbon · Isotopes of nitrogen · Isotopes of oxygen · Isotopes of strontium · Nitrogen · Stable isotope ratio · Strontium · Total organic carbon · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Chemistry · Ecology · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Geology · Oceanography · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
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| Unique citing works | 82 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 5,13 |
| Citation span | 2010 - 2026 (17) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 80 |