Topics Related to Cultural Resources (DCR)
Glass beads were an important item in West African cultures, finding their way into the region prior to the 15th century through the trans-Sahara trade with North Africa. They functioned as ornamental items: strung into jewelry, belts, and rosaries, woven in hair, and sewn onto clothing and headdresses. Beads were also used in rites of passage or initiation ceremonies, used in protective charms and talismans, and found on statues and figurines.
Archaeological conservation is the applied science of preserving artifacts. According to the Society for Historical Archaeology, “Conservators prevent objects from deterioration through careful examination, documentation, analysis, preservation, restoration and preventive care.” In our case, these archaeological materials come from a submerged saltwater site, which adds a level of complication to the work needed to protect the artifacts for future study and interpretation.
On June 7, 1717*, the crew of La Concorde set sail from Mesurade, in present-day Monrovia, Liberia, where they stopped two weeks prior to resupply necessities such as water and food. From there they were heading to their final African destination of Judah, the French name for Ouidah in present-day Benin.
The site of Queen Anne’s Revenge is covered in concreted cask hoops, such as the one pictured here. This is not surprising, since casks were the cardboard boxes of Blackbeard’s day.