Archaeology of Cassipora Creek

Hidden within Suriname's jungle, the Jodensavanne Archaeological Site reveals the remnants of a 17th-century Sephardic Jewish settlement that thrived under Dutch colonial rule. This study uncovers how Jewish colonists, many descendants of Spanish and Portuguese conversos, strategically embraced notions of whiteness to secure their legal standing in colonial society while contributing significantly to European imperial expansion. Through historical, archaeological, and remote sensing data analysis from Cassipora Creek and Jodensavanne, the research sheds light on the complex interplay between Jewish communal identity, citizenship, and racial ideologies during the early modern period. It also highlights the experiences of black and mixed-race Jews within a plantation society, offering a nuanced perspective on their roles in shaping colonial dynamics.

Goldstone, S. (2022). Archaeology of Cassipora Creek. New Florida Journal of Anthropology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.32473/nfja.v3i1.129866