Exhaustive Notes on the History, Mythology, and Labor of North American Earthworks

Thomas Jefferson is widely remembered for his historical contributions, yet the enslaved Africans he utilized are often omitted from the narrative.
These enslaved individuals were forced to perform the physical labor of digging through "that food and shelter."
Jefferson was not alone in this practice; the United States government had a profound interest in "these mountains" (the earthworks) found across the landscape.

Explorers and settlers encountered these structures in various locations, specifically noting sites in Virginia, Ohio, and Illinois.
During the $1600$ s and $1700$ s, there was intense speculation regarding the origin of these "huge piles of earth."
Lost Tribes Theory: A prominent theory of the time suggested that the mounds were built by lost tribes who had "teleported" from what is currently Israel to establish a civilization in North America.
European and Middle Eastern Influence: Other stories attributed the mounds to ancient kings or explorers from Europe and the Middle East who had traveled to the continent.
Biblical Connections: While not explicitly detailed in the Bible, many people believed there were "oblique mentions" to these specific kings and lost tribes, providing a religious justification for their theories.

Some theorists argued that the mounds were the remnants of a "new civilization" that had become fully extinct by the time Europeans arrived in North America.
Comparative Analysis: Europeans compared these structures to "mountains of artifacts" found in Iraq, the Middle East, and Turkey. They concluded these North American features belonged to similar, deceased civilizations rather than the indigenous population.
Denial of Indigenous Agency: Because Native Americans were not observed living on these "mountains" or actively constructing them at the time Europeans were seizing the land, observers concluded that Native Americans lacked the capability to build them.

Stratigraphy and Layers: By the $1800$ s, researchers began to recognize distinct "layers of human barriers" within the mounds.
Structural Development: It was discovered that certain barriers (burials) were placed through other existing barriers, indicating a sequential development over time rather than a single event.
Seriation of Artifacts: Changes in jar decorations and artifact styles were identified, showing how these objects evolved over different periods.
The $1850$ s Archaeological Survey: A physician conducted a notable archaeological survey in the $1850$ s, exhibiting a specific interest in these collections and developments.

The practice of forcing black people to excavate Native American remains is a foundational but often silenced aspect of United States science.
Labor Hierarchy: The physical work of excavating "white detail" was performed by African Americans, who were either low-wage laborers or enslaved people.
Documentation vs. Excavation: Once the physical labor was completed by these "unskilled folks," white archaeologists would arrive to map and document the findings.
Capitalist and Enslaved Foundations: Archaeology in the U.S. is built upon a foundation where marginalized people were forced through capitalism or enslavement to dig out these sites.
Textual Erasure: This labor history and the names of the individuals who performed the physical excavation are not mentioned in standard textbooks.

The speaker notes that the subsequent slide will contain images of human remains.
Audience members are invited to take a break for a few minutes if they prefer not to view the remains or need time before continuing with the lecture.