Chemical and dental analysis of 152 individuals buried on St. Helena has identified the childhood origins of Africans liberated from the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Research published in the journal Science confirms that many captives originated from coastal West Africa, while others traveled thousands of kilometers from inland regions. These findings provide a rare, data-driven look at the lives of enslaved people whose personal histories were systematically erased.
Origins and Forced Displacement
The study focused on the remains of liberated Africans who died on St. Helena after the British Royal Navy intercepted slave ships in the 19th century. Following the 1807 abolition of the slave trade, the island served as a depot for thousands of captives. Approximately 8,000 of these individuals, many suffering from extreme malnutrition and disease, died shortly after their arrival.
By analyzing strontium isotope ratios in tooth enamel, researchers mapped where these individuals lived during childhood. Strontium isotopes from local soil and water are incorporated into developing teeth, providing a geographic signature. The results, published by a team including researchers from the University of Copenhagen, indicate that while many originated near the coast of western Central Africa, others endured long-distance forced displacement from deep inland regions before reaching the coast.
Evidence of Child Trafficking
The analysis identified at least 10 individuals who were likely transported as children or young adolescents. One case involved a male who died between the ages of 19 and 25. By comparing isotope signatures from different stages of his tooth development, scientists determined he was moved from inland Angola to the coast between the ages of 7 and 9.
Hannes Schroeder, an associate professor of molecular ecology and evolution at the Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen, noted that this movement suggests the individual was trafficked during his childhood. This isotopic evidence aligns with the views of historian David Head, who noted that slave traders likely wanted younger people with the potential for many years as laborers.
Historical Context and Genetic Findings
The research team combined isotope data with DNA analysis of 20 individuals to gain a more complete picture of their origins. Genetic markers showed strong affinities with present-day populations in Gabon and northern Angola. This biological data corroborates eyewitness accounts from Royal Navy personnel stationed on St. Helena, who documented a diverse array of languages and dialects among the captives, including those from the Congo and Benguela regions.
The findings offer a rare opportunity to reconstruct the lives of individuals whose stories were largely ignored by the merchant records of the time. While slave traders maintained logs of embarkation and disembarkation, they rarely documented the origins or personal histories of the people they enslaved.
Legacy of the St. Helena Burials
The remains analyzed in the study were discovered during a 2007–2008 airport construction project on the island. Following extensive archaeological study, the individuals were reburied in 2022. While researchers and community members explored the possibility of repatriating the remains to their ancestral nations in Africa, no formal agreements were reached, partly due to the challenges of identifying specific countries of origin for many of the deceased.
According to Alex Bentley, an anthropology professor at the University of Tennessee, the study demonstrates the efficacy of combining isotope analysis with historical records. This methodology provides a framework that could be applied to study the origins of enslaved people in the United States.
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