MOBILE, Ala. – The Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) is currently coordinating with local, state, and national agencies concerning the deployment of an investigation into a shipwreck discovered in January 2018 in the Mobile area.
According to the AHC, it believes it has a duty to uphold the state law that manages and protects shipwrecks and archaeological sites in Alabama waters. After receiving the necessary permits and finalizing a research design, AHC will examine whether the vessel is, in fact, the Clotilda.
The Clotilda is the last known United States slave ship to bring enslaved people from Africa to the United States.
“The AHC staff is hard at work preparing our agency for this investigation,” said Lisa D. Jones, Executive Director of the Alabama Historical Commission. “During this process we look forward to engaging with the local community.”
The archaeological process will occur in phases with Phase I beginning as early as this month. Weekly updates will be available on the AHC website at ahc.alabama.gov and on social media.
