In January 2006 I spent two weeks in the West African nation of Guinea, conducting an archaeological reconnaissance of a series of sites along the upper Rio Pongo that were associated with the slave trade in the 19th century. In conducting this research, we were based in the village of Farenya, where during the early 19th century, a South Carolina slave trader named Styles Lightbourn established a slave trading lodge with his locally born wife “Queen” Niara Bely. The results of the preliminary archaeological reconnaissance of the upper Rio Pongo area, focusing on the area around Farenya, and the villages of Sanya Paulia and Bangalan, were very successful. A series of goals were set for the project:• Identify whether any archaeological remains relating to the period of the slave trade were present and identifiable;
• Record the variety of sites types (whether trading lodges, fortifications, churches, cemeteries, etc.) present;
• Conduct surface surveys of the sites to identify artifacts and features that may indicate chronology and function;
• Evaluate local and national receptivity toward the possibility of initiating long-term archaeological projects on one or more of the sites identified. Happily, all the goals were met, with potentially important and significant sites being identified at and around Farenya, Sanya Paulia, and Bangalan.
Briefly, the results of the work at Farenya included the creation of a sketch map and an evaluation of the archaeological potential of the ruins of Niara Belly’s “palace,” archaeological survey that identified other 19th century concentrations within the bounds of Farenya village as well as the ruins of a defensive battery, complete with cannon, and an archaeological assessment of the Balandougou area where slaves are said to have been kept awaiting shipment. In the vicinity of Farenya, an archaeological reconnaissance was conducted along the paths in the area surrounding the site of the first Anglican church at Farenya. At this location a sketch map was completed of the church ruins and a nearby habitation, both of which date to the late 19th century. Also in the vicinity of Farenya, the port of the area called the Mullataria was visited. This area, currently in dense bush, was where the offspring of Niara Belly lived, hence its name “Mullataria” or area where the Mullatos lived. Because the dense bush prevented an archaeological reconnaissance, the visit was limited to a brief survey of the waterside of the port area, where 19th century bottle fragments were in abundance.
The archaeological reconnaissance of Sanya Paulia was also successfully completed. At Sanya Paulia I visited a site complex attributed to the trader Paul Faber. This complex includes a substantial earthen mound that is said to be the remains of his house, several concentrations of French roof tiles probably associated with storage facilities or warehouses, and the port area where cargos were loaded and unloaded. Just to the north of the Paul Faber house is at least one rock covered grave. To the west of the house is a large pit from which earth for construction was excavated, and beyond that, is the a concentration of 19th century materials along a slight ridge leading from the rivers’ edge almost to the present day village of Sanya Paulia. This ridge, covered with very large, old, mango trees appears to be the site of the local village that was contemporary with the Paul Faber trading establishment. At its south end there is a cannon that appears to be still within the ruins of a masonry battery or fortification overlooking the port area. Also at Sanya Paulia are the ruins of an early Anglican church and an associated school. Near the church are four graves, one of which is said to be that of Paul Faber, and the others are said to be those of priests.
Bangalan was the last historic trade center to be visited for an archaeological reconnaissance. The trade complex at Bangalan consists of a well constructed, substantial, masonry paved ramp and road that leads from the port to the vicinity of a large earthen mound said to be the home of Lightbourne and Niara Belly. Adjacent to this mound is a cannon. A brief survey of the area surrounding the mound revealed indications that other low mounds may be present in the adjacent bush, possibly the remains of warehouses or other buildings associated with the trading enterprise. Artifacts noted on the ground surface included creamware (dating to the second half of the 18th century), pearlware (very late 18th and early 19th century), and later whitewares. Further inland from the trading complex was a large area with both imported ceramics and glass fragments as well as considerable locally manufactured pottery. This area is very likely the site of the contemporary village associated with the trading post.
In sum, the archaeological investigation of sites at Farenya, Sanya Paulia, and Bangalan was very successful. Important archaeological remains were identified in or around all three villages, and some offer particularly interesting opportunities for archaeological research to contribute significantly to our understanding of the social and historical dynamics of the Rio Pongo region in the 19th century. In addition to the field visits along the Rio Pongo, I established working cooperative relationships with the Musée National and the Bibliothèque National in Conakry, as well as faculty members of the Department of History at the Université Lansana Conte de Sonfonia de Conakry. I was able to present a seminar on the potential of historical archaeology to an assembly of faculty and students in the History Department of the Université Lansana Conte de Sonfonia de Conakry, and I was excited by the enthusiastic response from many of the people attending. Based on the results of this preliminary archaeological visit to Guinea, a great potential exists for significant archaeological work to be undertaken along the Rio Pongo that will address important historical questions relating to the slave trade of the 19th century, and that also may provide important and much needed field training opportunities for Guinean students of history and archaeology.