So far I’ve interviewed a counselor, a teacher, and two medical students during my travels in West Africa. This past week I met Rachel Horlings, a maritime archaeologist working off the coast of Ghana, and I had to get her fascinating story recorded.
Rachel’s parents have been Presbyterian missionaries in Nigeria for over 31 years. Rachel was born in Nigeria and grew up there with her 4 siblings. She went to FSU for 6 years and has been working on her PhD at Syracuse University.
In the interview Rachel talks about the shipwreck she has been studying/excavating near the town of Elmina (yes, Herzog fans, that Elmina). Maritime archeology was something I knew nothing about and I found her to be full of interesting info. You can download the 18 minute audio interview below:
Here is an outline of the interview:
- Rachel’s background and current project in Ghana
- Process of archeology underwater (1:40)
- God’s protection and grace (3:52)
- The shipwreck Rachel is studying and its history (4:52)
- Challenges of work on a research project in West Africa (9:07)
- What Ghanaians in Elmina think about the project (12:14)
- The future of the project and Rachel’s plans (15:16)
- Underwater archeology: the red-headed step-child (15:55)
- Closing (17:52)
All the photos I have included below were taken by Rachel and her family in Elmina, Ghana.