Following emancipation, many formerly enslaved Texans joined together to form close-knit communities in what are now known as freedom colonies. Many of these communities were anchored by their church, cemetery, and school. In some cases, the cemetery is all that remains to serve as a physical reminder of those that called the community home. Canaan Cemetery, in Brazos county, is a prime example of a Black Texan burying ground that still serves as a silent testament to the existence of many of the surrounding communities, such as Steele’s Store, Stone City, and Pitt’s Bridge. This project is focused on documenting and preserving the archaeological remains of the cemetery, including headstones as well as more ephemeral grave markers and grave goods. The archaeological data from the cemetery will then be used in conjunction with descendant interviews to create an anthropologically-informed history of burial practices in the Brazos valley. Using burial practices as a window into this historical period will provide a tangible, accessible, and meaningful narrative of the experiences of Black Texans in the Brazos valley in the century following emancipation.

Co P.I. with Annaliese Dempsey