The Curiosity Squad Episode 32 – An Archaeological Dig!

The land currently occupied by UAH was once occupied by a nineteenth-century cotton plantation called Avalon. Starting in the early 1800s, Avalon became one of the largest cotton plantations in Madison County. By 1860, 106 enslaved people worked the land and lived in 35 houses on the property. For several years, UAH history classes have been excavating Avalon-related sites under the direction of Ben Hoksbergen. These classes uncovered the site of the enslaver’s dwelling (between the Nursing Building and Roberts Hall). This spring, a dig outside the Business Administration Building hopes to uncover the location of the enslaved housing.

In this episode of the Curiosity Squad, Alex reprises her interview with professor Ben Hoksbergen from last year where he talks about the dig he conducts in the spring, before bringing us the experience of the dig with interviews with students and with Ben. What does field archaeology look like and what will they find??

Thanks to all the students who were willing to talk about their activities – Good Luck with your studies!

Useful Links (provided as a courtesy, WLRH is not responsible for external content)

Alabama Archaeological Society (has volunteer digs you can join!)

Professor Ben Hoksbergen