Recovering the lost history of West Philadelphia's Black Bottom neighborhood through community archaeology
In short: The Black Bottom neighborhood was erased by urban renewal in the 1960s. This video examines the Heritage West project, where students and residents joined archaeologists to excavate the site, aiming to honor the humanity and community life of those who once lived there.
The Heritage West project, led by Dr. Sarah Linn and Dr. Megan Kassabaum, seeks to document the stories of Black Bottom residents. By combining professional archaeological methods with community participation, the initiative works to acknowledge the violence of the neighborhood's destruction while preserving the legacy of its former inhabitants.
The project's timeline includes a four-month excavation season in 2023, followed by laboratory analysis in 2024. The directors focus on the planning process and ongoing efforts to share recovered narratives, ensuring the neighborhood's history is recognized rather than forgotten.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Excavating West Philadelphia’s Black Bottom
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