Prize Papers: Snapshots of the past
Prize Papers: Snapshots of the past
The Prize Papers at the National Archives in London offer unique insights into the history of the early modern period from the perspective of individuals whose letters and personal notes would not normally have survived the centuries. The collection comprises hundreds of thousands of documents and artefacts from the period between 1652 and about 1815, which were stored in boxes at the Archives and all but forgotten for many years. In a long-term project led by historians at the University of Oldenburg, this treasure trove of records from the past is being opened up and made available to researchers and the general public.
Injustice with continuing impact
Some 12.5 million enslaved people were shipped from Africa to the Americas in the early modern period. The academy project "Prize Papers" visualises shipping routes, human fates and Europe's deep involvement, in cooperation with the renowned "Slave Voyages" project – and with a current exhibition.