Archaeological Analysis of Hot Water Tract

Archaeological Analysis of Hot Water Tract. . , Archaeological Analysis Freedom Park is located on part of the Hot Water Tract, which totaled approximately 1,782 acres. This cemetery contains the remains of at least 160 people. Burials of infants, children and adults were discovered at this site during archaeological investigations that took place in 2003. It was determined that at least 40 adults, 32 children and 28 infants were buried here. It appears that a very large number of infants were buried at this location, an indication that many died shortly after their birth., Twenty graves, exhumed by Alain C. Outlaw, were analyzed by Douglas Owsley and Kari Bruwelheide, forensic anthropologists with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Of the 20 burials that were studied, it was estimated that: ,

. 12 were of African descent , . 6 were of European descent , . 1 was of European and Native American descent

Their ages at death ranged from 7-9 to 60+ years of age., The analysis of these human remains showed that bone conditions were the result of "physical exertion and strain" and poor dental health, both indicating harsh working conditions.[1] One English traveler who visited Virginia spent the night in the home of six enslaved individuals and their overseer. He noted that their house "stood on blocks about a foot above the ground, the hogs lay constantly under the floor, which made it swarm with fleas." During that time, the fenced-in area you see before you was used as a burial ground., Sources: [1] Alain C. Outlaw, Archaeological and Cultural Solutions, Inc., Douglas Owsley and Kari Bruwelheide, Department of Anthropology, National History Museum, Smithsonian Institution; and [2] Martha W. McCartney, Twin Paths to Freedom: The History and Archaeology of James City County's Free Black Communities., Donated by the estate of Josephine B. Chandler, [Captions:] , Photograph depicting African American Domestic Life (1899 or 1900). Source: Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952. Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Virginia., Excavation of a root cellar located on the Hot Water Complex. , Source: Alain C. Outlaw, Archaeologically excavated plantation complex at Hot Water. Late 17th-century dwelling. , Source: Alain C. Outlaw