Beneath Independence Mall, story of early free black America

Food remains offered clues about the Dexter family table. Documentary research showed Dexter was well paid for a free black of his day, relative affluence that was reflected in his diet. He and his daughter, Diligence, often dined on fish and fine cuts of meat. (His wife, Priss, whose freedom he purchased, died in 1785; his son, name unknown, the next year.)

Levin remains fascinated, however, by the huge numbers of pig's knuckles and feet that also were served in the house. Such food could be a link to Dexter's enslaved past, a time in his life when a pig's foot might be the only meat available.

"We define ourselves to a degree more than we are usually conscious of by what we eat," Levin said. "This may be a cultural link with his past."

In the same way, Levin said, the buried barrel behind Dexter's kitchen suggested links to West Africa. Deposits in it were distributed in thin layers of soil, layers upon layers, like phyllo pastry.

"It looks like the barrel was used to receive sweepings from the yard, as they swept the backyard area into the pit over time," Levin said. "That's interesting because we know there's a West African cultural tradition - you'd keep your yard scrupulously clean all the time by sweeping. It may be that what we're seeing here is a cultural continuity with Dexter's African background. Not to suggest that he came directly from Africa or that he was even aware of it. But we know in the American South to this day there is a pattern of swept yards."

Such subtle insights, bolstered by intensive documentary research, are the result of an archaeological focus. Slowly, over time, the hidden past emerges. Independence Park has incorporated the Dexter excavation and findings into a number of its teaching programs. Artifacts have been on display at the history center.

But Dexter's homesite itself was covered over when the excavation ended, and now his piece of Independence Mall, like Robert Venable's, lies underground.

"Dexter is clearly one of the leading figures in the African American community, even before Richard Allen and Absalom Jones came on the scene," Mooney said. "It's unbelievable. The stories potentially there are incredible."

Homage to the Nine

Avenging the Ancestors Coalition holds its annual July 3 event at the President's House, Sixth and Market Streets, tomorrow.

At 4:30 members will gather with local political figures for a reenactment of the lives of the nine enslaved Africans who lived there during George Washington's tenure. Information: 215-552-8751 or .

For photos, video, audio and stories about the President's House excavation, go to .