Excavating Legacy: Community archaeology at a Japanese American World War II incarceration site

ABSTRACT

This article discusses the ongoing public archaeology programme at Manzanar National Historic Site (NHS), a unit of the US National Park Service (NPS). Unlike archaeological projects rooted in academic questions or cultural resource management needs, the NPS centred its archaeological work on collaboration with descendant and local communities, respecting and drawing on their knowledge, stories, and personal connections with the site. Many young people, who will form the next generation of park visitors, supporters, and advocates, participate in the archaeological projects. Archaeology at Manzanar NHS thus ensures that the public retains an active voice as the NPS moves into its next century.

KEYWORDS:

• Japanese American History
• World War II
• internment
• incarceration
• public archaeology
• difficult History
• historic archaeology
• California

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Corrigendum

Acknowledgements

I presented a version of this article at the 2016 World Archaeological Conference in Kyoto, Japan. Many thanks to Mary Farrell, Carol McDavid, Sarah De Nardi, Teresa Moyer, Suzie Thomas, and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions. I also want to acknowledge the former incarcerees, whose indomitable spirit and grace have been an inspiration, and Manzanar National Historic Site’s superintendents, who have encouraged my work. In addition, the Japanese American community’s interest and participation in the archaeology of the World War II mass incarceration have made these studies the most gratifying of my career. Finally, I thank all the volunteers, without whom this work would not have been possible and there would not be much to see at Manzanar.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Jeffery Franz Burton Although his archaeological experience ranges from prehistoric villages to Spanish missions, Jeff Burton has been directing projects at Manzanar National Historic Site since it became part of the National Park Service in 1992. His archaeological overview of Japanese American internment sites across the USA was cited in the national law that created the $38 million Japanese American Confinement Sites grant programme. His work has also been pivotal in the establishment of National Park Service units at three other internment sites; Minidoka, Tule Lake, and Honouliuli. In 2017 Burton was honoured with the Society for American Archaeology’s Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management.

Suggested citation

Burton, Jeffery F. 2017. ‘Excavating Legacy: Community Archaeology at a Japanese American World War II Incarceration Site’. In Special Series, To Preserve and Pritext: The National Park Service and Community Archaeology, guest-edited by Teresa Moyer, Journal of Community Archaeology and Heritage 4(3): page 160–172.