Date of Award

12-13-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Jeffrey B. Glover

Second Advisor

Nicola O. Sharratt

Third Advisor

Kathryn A. Kozaitis

Abstract

Numerous historic cemeteries in the rural American South currently face deterioration due to natural and human elements. Those founded by enslaved African American communities are particularly vulnerable due to historical inequities, and to events affecting Black populations after emancipation. Rediscovery of these sites prompts inquiries into best practices for their preservation and revitalization. Tools such as Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), have proven valuable in addressing preliminary questions essential for effective cemetery preservation efforts. This thesis employs GPR to assess the number and distribution of burials in the historically segregated African American section of the Penfield Cemetery in Greene County, Georgia. Following archaeological praxis, the study emphasizes collaboration with diverse stakeholders invested in safeguarding this valuable resource as a part of a broader initiative to conserve and revive the cemetery. Findings will be integrated into a publicly accessible digital database, fostering engagement with the results among community members, the public, and future researchers.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/35981558

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