Refuge and Support: An Introduction

This thematic collection of articles broadens archaeological understandings of race by moving beyond the identification of evidence of a Black, Native, or hybrid, multiracial identities. Through explorations of the nature of archaeological sites and material culture associated with multiracial spaces, articles in this collection describe the ways material culture was used to express multiple identities. These studies also seek to document the diverse spatial and material practices that helped Black, Native, and multiracial persons negotiate the often conflicting social, political, and economic aspirations. This introduction article provides an overview of these theoretical and methodological challenges, and introduces the articles in this collection.