The Anthracite Coal Region

This book is an archaeological excavation of anomalous phenomena that still lingers to haunt various locations in the anthracite coal region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The unearthing of this haunting presence is both a metaphorical excavation (the bringing into the light of various dramas events and experiences of an individual and collective nature) and a physical engagement (the emergence of ghostly presence through investigative field performances). This anthracite coal region drama is viewed through the use of a deep map of short but compendious ghost narratives. This deep map consists of autobiographical events symmetrical archaeological practices memories of local places ethnic folklore haunting traces and manifestations natural history the use of a scientific field methodology and a sincere and profound sensitivity to the land. These ghost narratives are a subtle multi-layered and deep mining of a small regional landscape that has long been neglected and been perceived as insignificant social history. This book is meant to change that perception through a sensual unearthing of its haunting uncertainties.