Histories and Material Manifestations of Slavery in the Upper Gambia River Region: Preliminary Results of the Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project

Archaeological evidence from the Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project (BRAP) reveals significant changes in settlement patterns and defensive architecture in the Upper Gambia River region, highlighting the local impacts of Atlantic-era slavery. These material manifestations contrast with narratives used in UNESCO World Heritage applications, which emphasize interethnic ecological complementarities, and local tour guides' narratives, which focus on intercommunity politics and militarism. BRAP's approach analyzes historiographical silences and acknowledgments to uncover the complexities of slavery's role in shaping this multiethnic landscape, offering a nuanced perspective that complements broader regional studies.

Kroot, M. V., & Gokee, C. (2018). Histories and Material Manifestations of Slavery in the Upper Gambia River Region: Preliminary Results of the Bandafassi Regional Archaeological Project. Journal of African Diaspora Archaeology and Heritage, 7(2), 74–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/21619441.2019.1589712