DOI
10.22191/BUUJ/10/2/4
Faculty Sponsor
Kathleen Sterling
Abstract
Deaf archaeology is an emerging field exploring the material culture, spaces, and histories of Deaf communities to understand their social lives and identities. This paper examines Deaf archaeology as a framework for uncovering the historical presence of Deaf individuals and promoting social justice. It begins by defining deafness, contrasting medical and cultural perspectives, then traces the field’s roots in sign language evolution, marginalization, and Deaf education. Through a timeline of findings, the study reveals how Deaf individuals have been recognized or overlooked historically. Engaging with the Southern Tier Deaf community, I explore accessible archaeology and the role of Deaf archaeology in fostering inclusivity and bridging Deaf history with mainstream archaeology for a better understanding of heritage.
Recommended Citation
Steiner, A. H. (2025). Unearthing Silence: Deaf Archaeology as a Pathway to Social Justice and Accessibility. Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.22191/BUUJ/10/2/4
Included in
Accessibility Commons, American Sign Language Commons, Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Disability Studies Commons, History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, Linguistic Anthropology Commons, Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons, Social Justice Commons