Until The Well Runs Dry, Revisited

In April 1994, during the construction of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical Sciences Building, workers unearthed a well containing human skeletal remains of adults and children of African descent. This discovery prompted a re-evaluation of the university's historical practices, especially regarding its employment of cadaver hunters. Dr. Shawn Utsey's 2011 documentary further illuminated the university's controversial past and initiated discussions about the broader exploitation of vulnerable populations by medical institutions. In response, Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao established the East Marshall Street Well Project, forming a collaborative effort with researchers from Williams & Mary and the descendant community. This paper examines the project's implementation of a biocultural anthropological approach, emphasizing the significance of descendant community leadership in research involving human remains and complex historical narratives of exploitation. The findings underscore the potential for such collaborative approaches to address historical injustices and contribute to the healing of affected communities.