Slave Wrecks Project–Academy (SWP-A) is a groundbreaking effort by the SWP as part of its Maritime Archaeology of the Slave Trade (MAST) program. SWP-A seeks to cultivate new practitioners of maritime archaeology through targeted curriculum and training, centering students from Africa and people of African descent. SWP-A will develop an international network of archaeologists engaged in maritime archaeology of the slave trade, who engage deeply with decolonized practices and paradigms, while simultaneously generating cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning across Africa and the African diaspora. SWP-A’s curriculum includes:
· Scuba Dive Training
· Maritime Archaeology of the Slave Trade Technical Curriculum
· Historical & Cultural Curriculum
2022 Senegal Cohort
The SWP-A Cohort in Senegal was a success!
This year’s cohort took place from September 26-October 28 and it included students from Haiti, Senegal, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Class days were spent learning about maritime material culture, as well as canon and anchor manufacture, use, and identification, plus a few other fascinating subjects of the world of maritime archaeology. Students had an opportunity to go on an outing in the first week to document anchors and canons on the island on a field outing.
Students also visited several wrecks close to shore on the western side of Pointe Nord. Every student got the opportunity to map a site, and to get more comfortable with diving.
SWP-A in Senegal was a successful project, with every student able to participate in site mapping and completing an SWP certification.
Our cohort included the following students: Adama Harouna Athie, Nafissatou Alkaly Diouf, Déthié Faye, René Ndiana Faye, Madicke Gueye, Camille Louis, Aminata Mbaye, Youssou Ndour, Grodji grâce désirée Raymonde, Pierre Antoine Sambou, and Moussa Wele.
We are excited to welcome our next cohort of maritime archaeologists in the coming year!
