In the 17th century, life along the shores of what we now know as Delaware was a complex interplay of European settlers and enslaved Africans struggling to make a living on the rugged frontier. Recent archaeological discoveries and groundbreaking DNA research near Rehoboth Beach are rewriting the history of Delaware and early America, shedding light on a more culturally diverse and intricate society than previously assumed.

Approximately a decade ago, archaeologists stumbled upon a burial site at Avery's Rest, near today's Rehoboth Beach Yacht and Country Club. This site yielded 11 skeletons of individuals with both European and African heritage, marking a significant moment in historical research. Experts from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History embarked on a journey to decode the genetic story within these remains, resulting in a groundbreaking report published this summer in the scientific journal Current Biology. This research has unveiled the extent of the slave trade and the dire working conditions faced by the residents of colonial Delaware.

Leading the DNA analysis project was anthropological geneticist Raquel Fleskes, who made a remarkable discovery. Among the 11 bodies found, three were of African descent—two adult men and a child, likely enslaved during the late 1600s. Most notably, the research showed that one of the African individuals was the father of the African child, making this site the earliest identification of kinship between individuals of African descent in North American colonial times.

Traditionally, historical accounts have portrayed enslaved Africans as experiencing significant family separations during enslavement. However, this discovery challenges that narrative by revealing a father and son buried together, providing invaluable insight into the relationships of the time.

Moreover, the report revealed that the hardships faced were shared not only by individuals but by families and communities working closely together. The graves of European individuals also exhibited biological connections, including a grandmother, mother, and child, all displaying signs of strenuous labor far more severe than previously believed.

"Avery's Rest," as Raquel Fleskes notes, "places the lives of people of African descent, the lives of children, and of women as main players in this narrative of early colonial Delaware." Contrary to the historical focus on white male migration during this period, this DNA research highlights the significance of family and kinship in surviving and thriving in the frontier region.

Aside from reshaping our understanding of colonial life, the discovery at Avery's Rest is particularly crucial due to the limited archaeological sites in Delaware from this era. Few sites have yielded preserved human skeletons, especially those of African descent, who made up only around 5% of the population in 1700. The excavation of Avery's Rest, however, opened a door to a wealth of historical information.

Avery's Rest, in the late 1600s and early 1700s, was situated in a frontier region claimed by both Maryland and the colony of Pennsylvania/New York, leading to confusion and disputes among landowners. This period also coincided with the height of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, territorial conflicts, indigenous displacement, and the cultivation of emerging crops like tobacco.

John Avery and his family, who farmed tobacco in the area from 1675 to 1725, played a significant role in shaping this history. Despite Avery's reputation as a boisterous character, he contributed to the emergence of colonial agriculture, including the growth of what is believed to be some of the first imported peach trees in America.

The Avery's Rest discovery has shifted previous assumptions about labor during colonial times, highlighting the involvement of various classes of people in strenuous work and suggesting a lesser degree of racial separation than previously thought.

Although Delaware was not directly connected to the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the presence of three African individuals at the site underscores the early origins of slavery in colonial America.

As researchers continue their work, they hope to uncover more details about the individuals buried at Avery's Rest, their origins, and their interactions. While DNA analysis has pinpointed the European individuals' roots in northwest Europe, tracing the African individuals' ancestry has proven more challenging. Efforts are also underway to determine if any of the European individuals are related to the Avery family, although conclusive proof remains elusive.

Regrettably, the scarcity of archaeological sites from this period in Delaware is compounded by the encroachment of development. Many sites that could reveal critical historical information have been lost to urban sprawl. This underscores the urgency of preserving and excavating "at-risk" areas before they too vanish.

The future of the Avery's Rest project involves engaging the community to unearth archival records and delve deeper into the stories of these individuals, their origins, and their relationships. By using DNA to visualize these historical narratives, we continue to uncover and rewrite the hidden histories of colonial America, offering a more complete and nuanced understanding of our past.

As anthropological geneticist Raquel Fleskes aptly put it, "It's amazing that DNA can visualize these stories." In the process, we not only rewrite history but also honor the lives and experiences of those who have long been forgotten.