Underwater Discovery Points to Historical Slave Practices in North Carolina

By: Georgia McKoy | Published: Mar 10, 2024

In the waters around North Carolina’s Eagles Island, researchers have made significant archaeological discoveries related to 19th-century rice cultivation.

These findings provide insight into the contributions of enslaved Africans to agricultural engineering in the region. The research, conducted by Mark Wilde-Ramsing and Joni “Osku” Backstrom, unveils structures below water that were essential to rice farming practices.

Two-Year Exploration Reveals Engineering Feats

Over two years, Wilde-Ramsing, a former director at the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, and Backstrom, an assistant professor at UNCW, mapped the underwater remains of historic rice fields.

A person in a yellow kayak paddles through a narrow waterway surrounded by wetlands and bare trees

Source: University of North Carolina Wilmington

Their work highlights the technological advancements made by enslaved Africans, whose knowledge was pivotal in establishing these agricultural systems on Eagles Island.

Sophisticated Water-Control Structures Identified

The researchers identified numerous water-control structures that were crucial for rice cultivation.

A farmer, dressed in a red t-shirt and dark shorts, stands in a muddy, waterlogged rice field holding a tool

Source: Wikimedia Commons

These findings suggest that the engineering expertise of the enslaved Gullah Geechee people played a significant role in the success of rice farming in the Southeast.

Unveiling the Complexity of Water-Control Structures

The research team has identified a range of artifacts, primarily wood-built, water-control structures, integral to the historical rice cultivation on Eagles Island. These structures, as described by the researchers, include “structural dike supports, floodgates and sluices, levee repairs, bulkheads, and boat landings.”

A vintage engraving depicting three African individuals laboring in a rice field. The central figure, a woman in a red dress and headwrap, leans over to tend to the crops

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Each element played a crucial role in the intricate canal and waterway systems designed for effective rice farming. Further emphasizing their importance, the researchers noted, “Within the larger context of canals, marshlands, and waterways, water control structures made of wood were an essential part of rice field operations.”

The Gullah Geechee's Agricultural Legacy

The discoveries emphasize the Gullah Geechee’s agricultural legacy, showcasing their invaluable contributions to the Southeast’s economy and culture.

A historical painting depicts African American individuals engaged in various activities. In the foreground, a man in a blue coat and hat is breaking ground with a hoe, while another man seated to the right plays a banjo

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Their expertise in tidal rice cultivation, a skill brought from West Africa, was instrumental in transforming the agricultural landscape of the coastal Southeast.

Highlighting the Gullah Geechee's Critical Role in Agriculture

Sean Palmer, the director of UNCW’s Upperman African American Cultural Centre, emphasizes the crucial contributions of the Gullah Geechee people in the agricultural success of the coastal Southeast.

A sepia-toned photograph showing a group of African American women and children standing outside a wooden building. The women are dressed in long dresses and aprons, and most are wearing hats; two are balancing baskets on their heads. A child stands in the foreground

Source: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

According to Palmer, the Gullah Geechee were central to transforming the landscape to yield profitable crops like rice, Sea Island cotton, and indigo. He notes, “While the rice was the cash crop of the coastal Southeast, along with Sea Island cotton and indigo, Gullah Geechee ancestors provided both the brain trust and physical labour needed to change the landscapes into spaces that created commercial yields of the crop.”

Advanced Sonar Technology in Archaeological Research

Using a custom underwater sidescan sonar system, Wilde-Ramsing and Backstrom were able to “acoustically” identify and map 45 rice-related archaeological structures, Newsweek reports.

An aerial photograph captures a large drawbridge spanning across a wide river. The bridge features two prominent lift towers, allowing ships to pass beneath. On either side of the river, there are dense green patches of land with some areas appearing to be wetlands

Source: Eagle Island Nature Park/Facebook

This innovative approach has revealed a detailed view of the engineering practices that supported rice cultivation on Eagles Island.

Increasing Recognition of Enslaved Contributions

The findings from Eagles Island help to increase recognition of the contributions made by enslaved people to American agriculture.

An oil painting depicting African American men and women in a field setting, dressed in period clothing from the 19th century. The individuals are engaging in various activities, some standing with hands raised, while others are sitting or leaning on tools

Source: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission

By uncovering these structures, researchers provide physical evidence of the crucial role played by African descendants in the region’s economic and cultural development.

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor was established to recognize and honor the historical and cultural contributions of the Gullah Geechee people.

A collage of images representing various aspects of the Gullah Geechee cultural heritage. The top left photo shows a woman speaking at a podium. The top middle photo displays handcrafted baskets on a table with information leaflets. The top right photo features a woman engaging with visitors at a booth. The bottom left photo presents a Gullah Geechee Seafood Trail tent with a smiling individual. The bottom middle photo has an emblem of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Lastly, the bottom right photo depicts an outdoor sale with clothes hanging on a line and items laid out on a blanket

Source: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor National Heritage Area/Facebook

This initiative aims to preserve and spotlight the rich heritage of a community whose ancestors were forcibly brought from Africa to the United States to labor on the plantations of the lower Atlantic states.

Enduring Traditions of the Gullah Geechee

Despite the harsh conditions of enslavement, the Gullah Geechee people, isolated on coastal and barrier island plantations, managed to preserve a significant part of their African cultural identity.

A table is set up with an exhibition of Gullah Geechee cultural artifacts and informational materials. In the center stands a large, intricately woven sweetgrass basket in green and natural hues. Flanking it are smaller baskets, brochures, and informational cards

Source: Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor National Heritage Area/Facebook

The corridor emphasizes the importance of these retained traditions, demonstrating the unique and enduring influence of the Gullah Geechee on the cultural landscape of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia.

Upcoming Publication in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology

The research conducted by Wilde-Ramsing and Backstrom is set to be published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology.

An aerial image showing a wide river snaking through a densely populated urban landscape. Residential and commercial areas are visible on both sides of the river, with roadways and green spaces interspersed among the buildings

Source: Eagle Island Nature Park/Facebook

This publication will provide a comprehensive account of their findings and offer further insight into the historical significance of these underwater structures.

Revisiting American Agricultural History

The discoveries on Eagles Island prompt a reevaluation of the history of American agriculture, highlighting the interwoven stories of innovation, slavery, and resilience.

A small, single-story wooden house painted in blue with white trim, featuring a corrugated metal roof, a front porch with steps, and a single white-shuttered window

Source: Wikimedia Commons

They reveal how the agricultural practices established centuries ago continue to influence the region’s landscape and history.