Do you have a cite for that second point, Hec? I'd be interested in reading more about it.
Dammit! I knew you were going to ask me for that one. I
think
I read that in the NY Times several years ago. (Might not have been the Times, but a similar established publication. Not a science journal. Not a blog.)
That particular point really struck me. It was specifically about comparing field slaves and house slaves. (The joint grooves were just as deep in the house slaves.)
There was something in particular about the graveyard. I think maybe it was in New York and housed ex-slaves where they had records on them? Or possibly it was a graveyard where the house and field slaves were buried separately. But I think it was the former.
There was also some emphasis in the story about this kind of anthropolgy - using the same techniques that we use on ancient civilizations - was relatively new in being applied to the study slavery.
So I don't have a cite handy, but I'll google around and see if I can turn it up.
Dang, my Google-fu is weak. I bet flea could find it what with her archeology background and superior searching skills.
The article was particularly interesting because there are so many myths about the distinction between house slaves and field slaves that are carried forth today, particularly in African American culture.
Thanks, Hec. I think the field hand/house slave dichotomy is way overplayed, but I considered house slavery the better of two evils. Not by a huge amount, but still.
I know I've read of few articles about Northern slaves (NY, I think) in "Archaeology" magazine. I don't know if they said anything about bones or wear usage. It may have been more about what types of artifacts were associated with them.
ETA: [link]
This might be it, but it's buried behind the Times Archives subscription.
Shelter Island / Sylvester Manor archeological dig
The Shelter Island dig is run by Umass.
I think this is the one I was thinking of. The oddness was that it was a slave-owning plantation in New York state, and the articles came from around 2003.
Here's some stuff on the excavations.
More on the dig from a different resource
I just wanna share a gracenote success story that has really warmed my heart.
A client came to me a few weeks ago, so depressed that life just didn't seem doable. She has so much going for her that her words of self-doubt seemed totally incongruent with reality...but that is the way she felt.
We talked several times before she finally came in...we worked hard and suddenly, without telling me, she quit her job. I was worried for her, but knew in my heart that it was the right choice...perhaps a bit sooner than I would have advised...
Today, she called to say that she took a new job (a week after quitting the old one) that will make her heart sing, reduce her commute by nearly 2 hours a day, and despite taking a pay cut, she actually makes money on reduced commuting costs.
She was so happy...and she said several times "I remembered what you said and it helped me to get through this."
This kind of thing doesn't just make my day...it makes my world. I love it.
Sometimes a smile will make your day. Usually, it takes money or sex.
Bah. How frustrating that the interpretations of the dig are behind a pay wall.
Beej, that must just feel awesome.
