National Geographic History - 11.2019 - 12.2019

82 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

National Geographic engineer Arthur Clarke analyzed artifacts

taken from the wreck. He found that this nail (above) and oth-

ers like it were nearly 99 percent pure iron, consistent with fas-

teners used in shipbuilding in Alabama in the 1850s.

TOUGH AS NAILS

Wood from the ship may yield more details about the Clotilda’s

passengers. Forensic scientist Frankie West studied samples of

wood (above) taken from the ship’s hold in hopes of recovering

DNA from captives’ blood or other bodily fluids.

ANCESTRAL TRACES

MARK THIESSEN/NGS MARK THIESSEN/NGS

1

2