When the City of Charleston requested that the Gullah Society assist in the reburial of the 36 people of African descent that were found during renovations at the Gaillard in 2013, we seized the opportunity to learn more about these individuals and engage the community in creating a memorial that would honor them.
In 2013, archaeologists with Brockington and Associates carefully removed the human remains and recorded any artifacts that were buried with the individuals near Anson Street. By assessing the historical records, maps and dateable artifacts, such as coins and buttons, it is possible to establish a timeframe for the burials. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Suzanne Abel studied the human remains and determined that the individuals are of African descent. Dr. Chelsey Juarez conducted isotope analysis. Levels of isotopes in teeth and bone samples vary depending on the food we eat and the water that we drink. They are used to examine where a person lived as a child and where they lived during their last 5-10 years of life. The results of the isotope analysis indicated that nineteen of the thirty-six people buried near Anson Street were born in West or Central Africa, while one person was born in the Caribbean. Nine people were born in South Carolina and samples from eight individuals did not provide isotopic data.
In 2013, archaeologists with Brockington and Associates carefully removed the human remains and recorded any artifacts that were buried with the individuals near Anson Street. By assessing the historical records, maps and dateable artifacts, such as coins and buttons, it is possible to establish a timeframe for the burials. Forensic anthropologist Dr. Suzanne Abel studied the human remains and determined that the individuals are of African descent. Dr. Chelsey Juarez conducted isotope analysis. Levels of isotopes in teeth and bone samples vary depending on the food we eat and the water that we drink. They are used to examine where a person lived as a child and where they lived during their last 5-10 years of life. The results of the isotope analysis indicated that nineteen of the thirty-six people buried near Anson Street were born in West or Central Africa, while one person was born in the Caribbean. Nine people were born in South Carolina and samples from eight individuals did not provide isotopic data.