New Orleans has longstanding infrastructure problems that have needed repairs for years. New Orleans is also an old city with plenty of history. Much of that history lies hidden underground and more of it could potentially come to light as more construction projects take place. D. Ryan Gray, Professor of Anthropology and Associate Director of Midio Center for New Orleans Studies specializes in urban historical archaeology in the city of New Orleans.
Gray has been working as an archaeologist in New Orleans since 1999 and says that, while many people think of archaeologists as people who dig up bones, there’s much more nuance to it. “Really, most archaeologists these days are as interested in how things are remembered as much as the physical part of excavation,” Gray emphasized.
Dr. Gray says that, while much has been written about the history of New Orleans, there’s always more to discover. “There’s so much we’ve learned already and so much we have to do in terms of learning more about the past of the city,” he adds, noting that since his tenure there have been several meaningful findings in the area…