Abstract

This thesis explores the intersection of geophysical prospection methods such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) and public archaeology through a case study with the descendant community of Eatonville Memorial Gardens, an African American cemetery located in Central Florida. This moves beyond traditional uses of GPR, such as focusing on locating unmarked burials by engaging the descendant community in each stage of the research project. This expanded focus is advocated for because cemeteries serve as ancestral landscapes providing such communities with a sense of place and history. The maintenance and care of such places often reflect the same social conditions affecting the associated communities (e.g., income disparity, segregation, population changes). The project for this thesis explores the advantages of community involvement in the production of historical knowledge. The central research question thus becomes, can a ground penetrating radar survey locating unmarked graves be productive as a form of engaged, sustainable public archaeology? This thesis answers the research question by demonstrating how traditional findings of GPR surveys (e.g., location of anomalies identified as unmarked burials) aid the community members in significant ways. The findings of this project include identifying 13 such anomalies, which in turn supported the placement of new grave markers as an act of respect and commemoration. Furthermore, the sustainability of archaeology at the site increased through community involvement in planning, educating the volunteers and visitors about the cooperative archaeology taking place, and making this project data and results available to the public.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2022

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Gonzalez-Tennant, Edward

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Degree Program

Anthropology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009452; DP0027175

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027175

Language

English

Release Date

November 2022

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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Anthropology Commons

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