Delaware Day 2020 - Expanding the Delaware Story:  Unnamed Black Male, Burial #9, Avery’s Rest
Channel: DelawareHistory
Date: 2020-12-06

In 2014, archaeologists working at the Avery’s Rest site west of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware excavated 11 human burials. Scientific and DNA analysis determined that three of the individuals were of African origin. Historical context suggests these were Black people enslaved by John Avery. One burial, dated between 1674 and 1714, was that of an unnamed Black male who, at death, was between the ages of 32 and 42. The division is committed to restoring the dignity of these individuals and their rightful place in the history of Delaware.

Additional information:
• https://bit.ly/DNAFromColonialSkeleton -  DNA Analysis From Colonial Delaware Skeletons Reveals Beginning Of American Slave Trade. Forbes, New York, N.Y. Dec. 19, 2019.
• https://bit.ly/ResultsofAverysRest - “Results of the Avery’s Rest Bioarcheological Investigations.” HCA video featuring anthropologist Raquel Fleskes.

Additional information:
For more on Delaware Day 2020: https://history.delaware.gov/delaware-day-2020/ 
HCA website https://history.delaware.gov/ 
HCA Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/savingdelawarehistory