Urban Slavery

Archaeological research reveals the often-invisible presence of enslaved individuals in urban settings, highlighting their significant role in economies and societies across Pompeii, Brazil, Charleston, and New Orleans. The study identifies key locations—such as Valongo Wharf in Rio de Janeiro and St. Peter Street cemetery in New Orleans—where material evidence of slavery is preserved. By analyzing documents like fugitive slave advertisements, property records, and funerary artifacts, the research reconstructs the lived experiences and shared cultural practices of enslaved communities. The findings underscore the importance of commemoration efforts in fostering remembrance and healing.

Benefiel, R. R., Gray, D. R., Joseph, J. W., & Lima, T. A. (2026). Urban Slavery. The Oxford Handbook of the Comparative Archaeology of Slavery, 241–281. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780197551295.003.0009