Jason De León: Decoding Stories of Border Crossing

I’m gonna talk today about how

I’m gonna talk today about how anthropology can help us put names faces

anthropology can help us put names faces

anthropology can help us put names faces and stories to immigration statistics in

and stories to immigration statistics in

and stories to immigration statistics in the United States when I teach

the United States when I teach

the United States when I teach anthropology 101 students in the

anthropology 101 students in the

anthropology 101 students in the beginning often ask me what is it that

beginning often ask me what is it that

beginning often ask me what is it that anthropologists actually do and then I

anthropologists actually do and then I

anthropologists actually do and then I show them this picture and say well we

show them this picture and say well we

show them this picture and say well we sit around gamble we hang out here my

sit around gamble we hang out here my

sit around gamble we hang out here my wallets on the table because I’m losing

wallets on the table because I’m losing

wallets on the table because I’m losing all my money to these guys but this is

all my money to these guys but this is

all my money to these guys but this is no ordinary poker game I’m playing poker

no ordinary poker game I’m playing poker

no ordinary poker game I’m playing poker with a guy named Victor and a guy named

with a guy named Victor and a guy named

with a guy named Victor and a guy named Miguel Victor and Miguel have spent 20

Miguel Victor and Miguel have spent 20

Miguel Victor and Miguel have spent 20 plus years living in the United States

plus years living in the United States

plus years living in the United States and had been recently deported temptin

and had been recently deported temptin

and had been recently deported temptin to to Mexico I spent three weeks with

to to Mexico I spent three weeks with

to to Mexico I spent three weeks with them in a migrant shelter hearing their

them in a migrant shelter hearing their

them in a migrant shelter hearing their stories learning about what it was like

stories learning about what it was like

stories learning about what it was like to be undocumented for so long in the US

to be undocumented for so long in the US

to be undocumented for so long in the US what it was like to have been deported

what it was like to have been deported

what it was like to have been deported back to Mexico to a country that they

back to Mexico to a country that they

back to Mexico to a country that they they no longer really even knew and how

they no longer really even knew and how

they no longer really even knew and how they were mentally and physically

they were mentally and physically

they were mentally and physically preparing to undertake a border crossing

preparing to undertake a border crossing

preparing to undertake a border crossing and over the course of those three weeks

and over the course of those three weeks

and over the course of those three weeks are hanging out playing poker laughing

are hanging out playing poker laughing

are hanging out playing poker laughing trying to find some humor in this whole

trying to find some humor in this whole

trying to find some humor in this whole process we became very very good friends

process we became very very good friends

process we became very very good friends and Trust was developed at the end of

and Trust was developed at the end of

and Trust was developed at the end of the third week I went shopping with

the third week I went shopping with

the third week I went shopping with Victor and Miguel

Victor and Miguel

Victor and Miguel I watched them buy water food and a few

I watched them buy water food and a few

I watched them buy water food and a few other items and pack their bags here

other items and pack their bags here

other items and pack their bags here Victor is showing me a bag of garlic in

Victor is showing me a bag of garlic in

Victor is showing me a bag of garlic in his backpack and he’s saying Jason

his backpack and he’s saying Jason

his backpack and he’s saying Jason migrants rub this on their clothes when

migrants rub this on their clothes when

migrants rub this on their clothes when they go into the desert because it helps

they go into the desert because it helps

they go into the desert because it helps to keep snakes and other animals away

to keep snakes and other animals away

to keep snakes and other animals away supposedly to say goodbye to Victor I

supposedly to say goodbye to Victor I

supposedly to say goodbye to Victor I jokingly wrote a little message on his

jokingly wrote a little message on his

jokingly wrote a little message on his backpack here and it says in Spanish

backpack here and it says in Spanish

backpack here and it says in Spanish don’t forget that you owe me an apple

don’t forget that you owe me an apple

don’t forget that you owe me an apple juice because we would sit around

juice because we would sit around

juice because we would sit around playing poker we had they had no money

playing poker we had they had no money

playing poker we had they had no money there was no beer it wasn’t really kind

there was no beer it wasn’t really kind

there was no beer it wasn’t really kind of a party scenario but these guys would

of a party scenario but these guys would

of a party scenario but these guys would say look when you come to my house

say look when you come to my house

say look when you come to my house eventually in Arizona we’re gonna hang

eventually in Arizona we’re gonna hang

eventually in Arizona we’re gonna hang out we’re gonna we’re gonna we’re gonna

out we’re gonna we’re gonna we’re gonna

out we’re gonna we’re gonna we’re gonna grill we’ll have some beers but you

grill we’ll have some beers but you

grill we’ll have some beers but you being this young guy you were the baby

being this young guy you were the baby

being this young guy you were the baby you’d get to drink apple juice only so

you’d get to drink apple juice only so

you’d get to drink apple juice only so and so I wrote this message for these

and so I wrote this message for these

and so I wrote this message for these guys you know but it was a very sad

guys you know but it was a very sad

guys you know but it was a very sad moment for me I walk with them down to

moment for me I walk with them down to

moment for me I walk with them down to the border and all of we get down to the

the border and all of we get down to the

the border and all of we get down to the fence

fence

fence and Victor starts saying hey take some

and Victor starts saying hey take some

and Victor starts saying hey take some pictures of this we’re getting ready to

pictures of this we’re getting ready to

pictures of this we’re getting ready to go take pictures and I’m on the verge of

go take pictures and I’m on the verge of

go take pictures and I’m on the verge of tears at this point I said you know what

tears at this point I said you know what

tears at this point I said you know what I don’t want to take pictures of this

I don’t want to take pictures of this

I don’t want to take pictures of this this is making me sick to my stomach

this is making me sick to my stomach

this is making me sick to my stomach because I know we’ve developed this this

because I know we’ve developed this this

because I know we’ve developed this this friendship over these three weeks I know

friendship over these three weeks I know

friendship over these three weeks I know quite well what could happen to you out

quite well what could happen to you out

quite well what could happen to you out in the desert I don’t it’s just too hard

in the desert I don’t it’s just too hard

in the desert I don’t it’s just too hard for me to put on the scientist had right

for me to put on the scientist had right

for me to put on the scientist had right now and Victor saying no one’s gonna

now and Victor saying no one’s gonna

now and Victor saying no one’s gonna believe you your students are gonna

believe you your students are gonna

believe you your students are gonna believe you unless you take a picture so

believe you unless you take a picture so

believe you unless you take a picture so do it

do it

do it so I reluctantly take out my camera and

so I reluctantly take out my camera and

so I reluctantly take out my camera and start shooting photographs of these guys

start shooting photographs of these guys

start shooting photographs of these guys we say we hug we say goodbye and I

we say we hug we say goodbye and I

we say we hug we say goodbye and I walked I watch them walk off into the

walked I watch them walk off into the

walked I watch them walk off into the desert and I basically break break down

desert and I basically break break down

desert and I basically break break down in tears these are two two men in a sea

in tears these are two two men in a sea

in tears these are two two men in a sea of millions of people who have gone

of millions of people who have gone

of millions of people who have gone through the Arizona desert and many of

through the Arizona desert and many of

through the Arizona desert and many of whom have been caught Victor and Miguel

whom have been caught Victor and Miguel

whom have been caught Victor and Miguel have attempted to cross this border

have attempted to cross this border

have attempted to cross this border multiple times and are part of the 4.5

multiple times and are part of the 4.5

multiple times and are part of the 4.5 million that have been apprehended in

million that have been apprehended in

million that have been apprehended in southern Arizona alone that was one of

southern Arizona alone that was one of

southern Arizona alone that was one of the hardest parts of this research when

the hardest parts of this research when

the hardest parts of this research when I first began it but this it’s been many

I first began it but this it’s been many

I first began it but this it’s been many many difficult moments while trying to

many difficult moments while trying to

many difficult moments while trying to understand undocumented migration last

understand undocumented migration last

understand undocumented migration last summer the the hardest thing I had to do

summer the the hardest thing I had to do

summer the the hardest thing I had to do was make a phone call and say Marysol I

was make a phone call and say Marysol I

was make a phone call and say Marysol I found her she was the 41 year old mother

found her she was the 41 year old mother

found her she was the 41 year old mother of three whose body I encountered in the

of three whose body I encountered in the

of three whose body I encountered in the desert she’d only been dead about four

desert she’d only been dead about four

desert she’d only been dead about four days to call the family and say I was

days to call the family and say I was

days to call the family and say I was with her in the end we put a blanket on

with her in the end we put a blanket on

with her in the end we put a blanket on her to try to restore some dignity in

her to try to restore some dignity in

her to try to restore some dignity in the desert and my students and I sat for

the desert and my students and I sat for

the desert and my students and I sat for seven hours waiting for law enforcement

seven hours waiting for law enforcement

seven hours waiting for law enforcement to come and pick up her body and take

to come and pick up her body and take

to come and pick up her body and take her away that was that’s been still to

her away that was that’s been still to

her away that was that’s been still to this day one of the most difficult

this day one of the most difficult

this day one of the most difficult things that I’ve ever had to do as a

things that I’ve ever had to do as a

things that I’ve ever had to do as a researcher and as a as a human being

researcher and as a as a human being

researcher and as a as a human being Marysol is one of about 5600 bodies that

Marysol is one of about 5600 bodies that

Marysol is one of about 5600 bodies that have been recovered in the desert and in

have been recovered in the desert and in

have been recovered in the desert and in the southern border since 1998 so one of

the southern border since 1998 so one of

the southern border since 1998 so one of many many people and I’m gonna argue

many many people and I’m gonna argue

many many people and I’m gonna argue that this number is actually quite low

that this number is actually quite low

that this number is actually quite low what this project has tried to do is

what this project has tried to do is

what this project has tried to do is offer a counter to the dominant sort of

offer a counter to the dominant sort of

offer a counter to the dominant sort of way that Americans think about

way that Americans think about

way that Americans think about undocumented migration typically we get

undocumented migration typically we get

undocumented migration typically we get our information from some primary media

our information from some primary media

our information from some primary media sources

sources

sources most of which focus on issues of

most of which focus on issues of

most of which focus on issues of legality and perspectives from law

legality and perspectives from law

legality and perspectives from law enforcement and what this project has

enforcement and what this project has

enforcement and what this project has tried to do is say okay what does it

tried to do is say okay what does it

tried to do is say okay what does it look like from the other side all right

look like from the other side all right

look like from the other side all right what do the people themselves say about

what do the people themselves say about

what do the people themselves say about this process and who are that who are

this process and who are that who are

this process and who are that who are these these millions of undocumented

these these millions of undocumented

these these millions of undocumented people and what are their stories

people and what are their stories

people and what are their stories and I would argue that border crossing

and I would argue that border crossing

and I would argue that border crossing is poorly understood and archaeology and

is poorly understood and archaeology and

is poorly understood and archaeology and anthropology can help us understand this

anthropology can help us understand this

anthropology can help us understand this process and to humanize it at the end of

process and to humanize it at the end of

process and to humanize it at the end of the day so since 2009 I’ve been doing

the day so since 2009 I’ve been doing

the day so since 2009 I’ve been doing this project and looking at what happens

this project and looking at what happens

this project and looking at what happens to these gentlemen and men and women and

to these gentlemen and men and women and

to these gentlemen and men and women and kids out in the desert some of whom I’ve

kids out in the desert some of whom I’ve

kids out in the desert some of whom I’ve actually had to take photographs with

actually had to take photographs with

actually had to take photographs with disposable cameras for an anonymous

disposable cameras for an anonymous

disposable cameras for an anonymous publication so most of the blurry photos

publication so most of the blurry photos

publication so most of the blurry photos that you’re going to see or the ones

that you’re going to see or the ones

that you’re going to see or the ones that are obviously shot on film and not

that are obviously shot on film and not

that are obviously shot on film and not digital or once taken by migrants if you

digital or once taken by migrants if you

digital or once taken by migrants if you don’t know just quickly the bulk of

don’t know just quickly the bulk of

don’t know just quickly the bulk of people coming to the United States

people coming to the United States

people coming to the United States currently uh illegally undocumented come

currently uh illegally undocumented come

currently uh illegally undocumented come through southern Arizona it’s impossible

through southern Arizona it’s impossible

through southern Arizona it’s impossible virtually to cross near urban ports of

virtually to cross near urban ports of

virtually to cross near urban ports of entry but we’ve essentially left the

entry but we’ve essentially left the

entry but we’ve essentially left the back door in southern Arizona open in an

back door in southern Arizona open in an

back door in southern Arizona open in an attempt to use the the desert

attempt to use the the desert

attempt to use the the desert environment itself as a form of

environment itself as a form of

environment itself as a form of deterrence

deterrence

deterrence the federal policy is called prevention

the federal policy is called prevention

the federal policy is called prevention through deterrence the thinking being

through deterrence the thinking being

through deterrence the thinking being that if we funnel migrants through this

that if we funnel migrants through this

that if we funnel migrants through this really inhospitable environment where

really inhospitable environment where

really inhospitable environment where they’ve got to walk 50 60 70 miles over

they’ve got to walk 50 60 70 miles over

they’ve got to walk 50 60 70 miles over rough terrain where temperatures can be

rough terrain where temperatures can be

rough terrain where temperatures can be 115 degrees many people will get hurts

115 degrees many people will get hurts

115 degrees many people will get hurts people will die and eventually word will

people will die and eventually word will

people will die and eventually word will spread that is a dangerous social

spread that is a dangerous social

spread that is a dangerous social process and don’t try to do it we know

process and don’t try to do it we know

process and don’t try to do it we know that that has not been very effective

that that has not been very effective

that that has not been very effective and what I’ve been trying to look at

and what I’ve been trying to look at

and what I’ve been trying to look at lately is how are people actually

lately is how are people actually

lately is how are people actually preparing for this stuff what happens in

preparing for this stuff what happens in

preparing for this stuff what happens in during the process and what happens

during the process and what happens

during the process and what happens after when they fail when they succeed

after when they fail when they succeed

after when they fail when they succeed or when they try again the bulk of my

or when they try again the bulk of my

or when they try again the bulk of my work happens it’s just south of Tucson

work happens it’s just south of Tucson

work happens it’s just south of Tucson where I start is in a tiny little town

where I start is in a tiny little town

where I start is in a tiny little town called Alta or Mexico alt R is a jumping

called Alta or Mexico alt R is a jumping

called Alta or Mexico alt R is a jumping off point for hundreds of thousands of

off point for hundreds of thousands of

off point for hundreds of thousands of migrants every year if you go to

migrants every year if you go to

migrants every year if you go to downtown alt R you’ll see this big mural

downtown alt R you’ll see this big mural

downtown alt R you’ll see this big mural of the local baseball team called the

of the local baseball team called the

of the local baseball team called the clay up this of all tar clay and Spanish

clay up this of all tar clay and Spanish

clay up this of all tar clay and Spanish is euphemism for smuggler so this town

is euphemism for smuggler so this town

is euphemism for smuggler so this town basically just revolves around smuggling

basically just revolves around smuggling

basically just revolves around smuggling and everybody knows it migrants go there

and everybody knows it migrants go there

and everybody knows it migrants go there they prepare themselves they hop on a

they prepare themselves they hop on a

they prepare themselves they hop on a bus drive down to the border and then

bus drive down to the border and then

bus drive down to the border and then walk into the desert if you go to the

walk into the desert if you go to the

walk into the desert if you go to the vendors in al thar they specialize in

vendors in al thar they specialize in

vendors in al thar they specialize in certain types of goods camouflage

certain types of goods camouflage

certain types of goods camouflage clothing hiking boots first aid

clothing hiking boots first aid

clothing hiking boots first aid equipment all the things that migrants

equipment all the things that migrants

equipment all the things that migrants need to get across the desert is a

need to get across the desert is a

need to get across the desert is a highly specialized economy in northern

highly specialized economy in northern

highly specialized economy in northern altern people are making millions of

altern people are making millions of

altern people are making millions of dollars every year off of this process

dollars every year off of this process

dollars every year off of this process and it’s what people need to get across

and it’s what people need to get across

and it’s what people need to get across this big vast desert how would you

this big vast desert how would you

this big vast desert how would you prepare yourself to to engage in a

prepare yourself to to engage in a

prepare yourself to to engage in a terrain that is just incredibly

terrain that is just incredibly

terrain that is just incredibly difficult to get across on foot luckily

difficult to get across on foot luckily

difficult to get across on foot luckily for me

for me

for me a former archaeologist and

a former archaeologist and

a former archaeologist and anthropologist sometimes I’m able to

anthropologist sometimes I’m able to

anthropologist sometimes I’m able to draw on my old skills in archaeology and

draw on my old skills in archaeology and

draw on my old skills in archaeology and my current skills in socio-cultural

my current skills in socio-cultural

my current skills in socio-cultural anthropology but I talked to migrants as

anthropology but I talked to migrants as

anthropology but I talked to migrants as they prepare to go into the desert I

they prepare to go into the desert I

they prepare to go into the desert I follow them around as they go shopping I

follow them around as they go shopping I

follow them around as they go shopping I have them take photographs and then I

have them take photographs and then I

have them take photographs and then I interview them once they’ve come back

interview them once they’ve come back

interview them once they’ve come back whether they when they’ve been deported

whether they when they’ve been deported

whether they when they’ve been deported so I talk to family groups I talk to men

so I talk to family groups I talk to men

so I talk to family groups I talk to men and to women about what happened in the

and to women about what happened in the

and to women about what happened in the desert what did they experience you know

desert what did they experience you know

desert what did they experience you know tell me what did the terrain look like

tell me what did the terrain look like

tell me what did the terrain look like how did you experience it on an

how did you experience it on an

how did you experience it on an individual level what was it like to try

individual level what was it like to try

individual level what was it like to try to cross mountains in Nike sneakers

to cross mountains in Nike sneakers

to cross mountains in Nike sneakers carrying a very heavy backpack

carrying a very heavy backpack

carrying a very heavy backpack what were your engagements with nature

what were your engagements with nature

what were your engagements with nature were there snakes were there are

were there snakes were there are

were there snakes were there are scorpions were there bandits who robbed

scorpions were there bandits who robbed

scorpions were there bandits who robbed migrants systematically did you

migrants systematically did you

migrants systematically did you encounter them what was Border Patrol

encounter them what was Border Patrol

encounter them what was Border Patrol like was it a relatively friendly

like was it a relatively friendly

like was it a relatively friendly encounter or was it a violent one so

encounter or was it a violent one so

encounter or was it a violent one so recording the narratives of migrants who

recording the narratives of migrants who

recording the narratives of migrants who go through this process

go through this process

go through this process lucky for me people leave a lot of stuff

lucky for me people leave a lot of stuff

lucky for me people leave a lot of stuff behind in the deserts at places that

behind in the deserts at places that

behind in the deserts at places that we’ve termed migrant stations so here

we’ve termed migrant stations so here

we’ve termed migrant stations so here you can see someone under a tree with

you can see someone under a tree with

you can see someone under a tree with his backpack there and people leave

his backpack there and people leave

his backpack there and people leave stuff while they’re walking across the

stuff while they’re walking across the

stuff while they’re walking across the desert and we’ve come in and tried to

desert and we’ve come in and tried to

desert and we’ve come in and tried to look at it from an archaeological

look at it from an archaeological

look at it from an archaeological perspective I mean this could be the

perspective I mean this could be the

perspective I mean this could be the archaeology of ten minutes ago literally

archaeology of ten minutes ago literally

archaeology of ten minutes ago literally some of these sites are small old pair

some of these sites are small old pair

some of these sites are small old pair of pants submit some empty water bottles

of pants submit some empty water bottles

of pants submit some empty water bottles some of these sites can be quite large

some of these sites can be quite large

some of these sites can be quite large and I would argue that this is a rich

and I would argue that this is a rich

and I would argue that this is a rich repository of archaeological data this

repository of archaeological data this

repository of archaeological data this is an American history in the making and

is an American history in the making and

is an American history in the making and we can use the tools of archeology to

we can use the tools of archeology to

we can use the tools of archeology to come in and systematically record these

come in and systematically record these

come in and systematically record these sites so I’m an expert in water bottles

sites so I’m an expert in water bottles

sites so I’m an expert in water bottles I’m an expert in backpacks and knockoff

I’m an expert in backpacks and knockoff

I’m an expert in backpacks and knockoff Nike sneakers I have a typology for can

Nike sneakers I have a typology for can

Nike sneakers I have a typology for can lids everything that people are going to

lids everything that people are going to

lids everything that people are going to consume out there I pretty much have

consume out there I pretty much have

consume out there I pretty much have done some sort of Syrian on it and I

done some sort of Syrian on it and I

done some sort of Syrian on it and I train lots of students to do this as

train lots of students to do this as

train lots of students to do this as well and for me the real joy is to trick

well and for me the real joy is to trick

well and for me the real joy is to trick people who who would never think

people who who would never think

people who who would never think archaeology was interesting at all who

archaeology was interesting at all who

archaeology was interesting at all who are interested in social issues or or

are interested in social issues or or

are interested in social issues or or Latin American history and to say haha

Latin American history and to say haha

Latin American history and to say haha we as archaeologists can actually have

we as archaeologists can actually have

we as archaeologists can actually have get involved in this conversation so I

get involved in this conversation so I

get involved in this conversation so I take a lot the students down every year

take a lot the students down every year

take a lot the students down every year and I’m always grateful to them for

and I’m always grateful to them for

and I’m always grateful to them for further help and support when we look at

further help and support when we look at

further help and support when we look at the actual stuff migrants leave behind

the actual stuff migrants leave behind

the actual stuff migrants leave behind we can get little windows into

we can get little windows into

we can get little windows into individual stories the ironic symbols

individual stories the ironic symbols

individual stories the ironic symbols that end up on clothing that people

that end up on clothing that people

that end up on clothing that people leave behind like the Statue of Liberty

leave behind like the Statue of Liberty

leave behind like the Statue of Liberty shirt the personal items the photographs

shirt the personal items the photographs

shirt the personal items the photographs the the the love letters the Bible’s the

the the the love letters the Bible’s the

the the the love letters the Bible’s the rosaries that are accidentally left

rosaries that are accidentally left

rosaries that are accidentally left behind

behind

behind worn-out sneakers and then also

worn-out sneakers and then also

worn-out sneakers and then also sometimes a little bit of humor so this

sometimes a little bit of humor so this

sometimes a little bit of humor so this person is one of my favorite things I’ve

person is one of my favorite things I’ve

person is one of my favorite things I’ve ever found this illegal alien card on

ever found this illegal alien card on

ever found this illegal alien card on the bottom left that someone had in

the bottom left that someone had in

the bottom left that someone had in their wallets

their wallets

their wallets so even migrants are trying to make

so even migrants are trying to make

so even migrants are trying to make light of this very grave situation at

light of this very grave situation at

light of this very grave situation at times and the archaeology can be really

times and the archaeology can be really

times and the archaeology can be really helpful to get at these stories and then

helpful to get at these stories and then

helpful to get at these stories and then to combine them with the narratives of

to combine them with the narratives of

to combine them with the narratives of migrants themselves and we can able we

migrants themselves and we can able we

migrants themselves and we can able we can also use our key ology to look at

can also use our key ology to look at

can also use our key ology to look at change over time sometimes just a couple

change over time sometimes just a couple

change over time sometimes just a couple of years so in the beginning migrants

of years so in the beginning migrants

of years so in the beginning migrants used to carry around these big plastic

used to carry around these big plastic

used to carry around these big plastic water jugs that are very white and in

water jugs that are very white and in

water jugs that are very white and in the desert they will say Border Patrol

the desert they will say Border Patrol

the desert they will say Border Patrol can see you a mile away carrying one of

can see you a mile away carrying one of

can see you a mile away carrying one of these things so what you want to do is

these things so what you want to do is

these things so what you want to do is you want to paint it black with shoe

you want to paint it black with shoe

you want to paint it black with shoe polish or you want to perhaps cover them

polish or you want to perhaps cover them

polish or you want to perhaps cover them up with a black plastic bag and in late

up with a black plastic bag and in late

up with a black plastic bag and in late 2009 some enterprising individual in

2009 some enterprising individual in

2009 some enterprising individual in northern Mexico says you know we can

northern Mexico says you know we can

northern Mexico says you know we can make an extra dollar on these bottles if

make an extra dollar on these bottles if

make an extra dollar on these bottles if we start producing them out of black

we start producing them out of black

we start producing them out of black plastic the idea is that this is

plastic the idea is that this is

plastic the idea is that this is supposed to help you stay camouflage it

supposed to help you stay camouflage it

supposed to help you stay camouflage it actually doesn’t really work but I think

actually doesn’t really work but I think

actually doesn’t really work but I think it’s interesting that it’s become this

it’s interesting that it’s become this

it’s interesting that it’s become this routinized that there’s a full-blown

routinized that there’s a full-blown

routinized that there’s a full-blown industry and people who are responding

industry and people who are responding

industry and people who are responding to consumer demands in northern Mexico

to consumer demands in northern Mexico

to consumer demands in northern Mexico and we and there’s been hundreds of

and we and there’s been hundreds of

and we and there’s been hundreds of thousands of these deposited in the

thousands of these deposited in the

thousands of these deposited in the desert every every year but I started

desert every every year but I started

desert every every year but I started really thinking about this

really thinking about this

really thinking about this ethnographically and archaeologically

ethnographically and archaeologically

ethnographically and archaeologically and and in last summer I really started

and and in last summer I really started

and and in last summer I really started to think more about those who do not

to think more about those who do not

to think more about those who do not make it across the desert and thinking

make it across the desert and thinking

make it across the desert and thinking about how can forensic science help me

about how can forensic science help me

about how can forensic science help me to understand this very hidden deadly

to understand this very hidden deadly

to understand this very hidden deadly process lots of people go missing in the

process lots of people go missing in the

process lots of people go missing in the desert many more than have been counted

desert many more than have been counted

desert many more than have been counted as dead and I spend time in shelters

as dead and I spend time in shelters

as dead and I spend time in shelters talking to families about looking for a

talking to families about looking for a

talking to families about looking for a daughter or a husband occasionally I’ve

daughter or a husband occasionally I’ve

daughter or a husband occasionally I’ve come across fragmented human remains

come across fragmented human remains

come across fragmented human remains like this this worn-out pair of shoes

like this this worn-out pair of shoes

like this this worn-out pair of shoes associated with some human rib fragments

associated with some human rib fragments

associated with some human rib fragments that had been gnawed on by animals it

that had been gnawed on by animals it

that had been gnawed on by animals it was this and an arm an arm fragment we

was this and an arm an arm fragment we

was this and an arm an arm fragment we know that we we have speculated for a

know that we we have speculated for a

know that we we have speculated for a long time that the desert does a really

long time that the desert does a really

long time that the desert does a really good job of destroying people’s bodies

good job of destroying people’s bodies

good job of destroying people’s bodies but the problem has been that it’s all

but the problem has been that it’s all

but the problem has been that it’s all been speculation because no one has done

been speculation because no one has done

been speculation because no one has done any systematic research on the actual

any systematic research on the actual

any systematic research on the actual process of decomposition

process of decomposition

process of decomposition so last year in the beginning of the

so last year in the beginning of the

so last year in the beginning of the summer I drew on previous forensic

summer I drew on previous forensic

summer I drew on previous forensic research using pig carcasses as proxies

research using pig carcasses as proxies

research using pig carcasses as proxies for the human body to try to understand

for the human body to try to understand

for the human body to try to understand decomposition

decomposition

decomposition I took some pigs I

I took some pigs I

I took some pigs I dressed him up in clothes similar to

dressed him up in clothes similar to

dressed him up in clothes similar to what migrants would wear in the desert

what migrants would wear in the desert

what migrants would wear in the desert and I’d put them into different

and I’d put them into different

and I’d put them into different environmental conditions and monitored

environmental conditions and monitored

environmental conditions and monitored them with motion cameras this pig here

them with motion cameras this pig here

them with motion cameras this pig here we left out for three weeks it sat there

we left out for three weeks it sat there

we left out for three weeks it sat there for about two weeks basically

for about two weeks basically

for about two weeks basically decomposing relatively naturally and

decomposing relatively naturally and

decomposing relatively naturally and then vultures showed up about six or

then vultures showed up about six or

then vultures showed up about six or seven of them so this is our one of

seven of them so this is our one of

seven of them so this is our one of vulture arrival and this is at the end

vulture arrival and this is at the end

vulture arrival and this is at the end of 24 hours so things have moved

of 24 hours so things have moved

of 24 hours so things have moved incredibly far many things are

incredibly far many things are

incredibly far many things are completely missing we went back and

completely missing we went back and

completely missing we went back and survey the area and you know important

survey the area and you know important

survey the area and you know important parts of the skeleton had just

parts of the skeleton had just

parts of the skeleton had just completely gone missing including the

completely gone missing including the

completely gone missing including the identification and stuff that we have

identification and stuff that we have

identification and stuff that we have put into the pants

put into the pants

put into the pants so really signaling that this stuff is

so really signaling that this stuff is

so really signaling that this stuff is disappearing really quickly and it’s

disappearing really quickly and it’s

disappearing really quickly and it’s difficult to to recover our

difficult to to recover our

difficult to to recover our archaeologically when I had that phone

archaeologically when I had that phone

archaeologically when I had that phone call with with Mattie Souls family it

call with with Mattie Souls family it

call with with Mattie Souls family it was I struggled to to find something

was I struggled to to find something

was I struggled to to find something positive to say to them over the phone

positive to say to them over the phone

positive to say to them over the phone you know I’m calling to you know because

you know I’m calling to you know because

you know I’m calling to you know because I know that if my loved one had gone

I know that if my loved one had gone

I know that if my loved one had gone missing in the desert I would want to

missing in the desert I would want to

missing in the desert I would want to know as much as possible about what had

know as much as possible about what had

know as much as possible about what had happened and so when I picked up this

happened and so when I picked up this

happened and so when I picked up this phone and said you know I’m the person

phone and said you know I’m the person

phone and said you know I’m the person who found my tea sold and I just want to

who found my tea sold and I just want to

who found my tea sold and I just want to let you know that we that we sat with

let you know that we that we sat with

let you know that we that we sat with her for a long time that we waited and

her for a long time that we waited and

her for a long time that we waited and we got there before the birds could get

we got there before the birds could get

we got there before the birds could get to her and you know and for me this

to her and you know and for me this

to her and you know and for me this really brought home the importance of

really brought home the importance of

really brought home the importance of the forensic research because I started

the forensic research because I started

the forensic research because I started the the pig project two weeks before we

the the pig project two weeks before we

the the pig project two weeks before we found her and then when we came across

found her and then when we came across

found her and then when we came across her body you can already see birds

her body you can already see birds

her body you can already see birds beginning to circle her many stories end

beginning to circle her many stories end

beginning to circle her many stories end as badly as Mattie Souls but then

as badly as Mattie Souls but then

as badly as Mattie Souls but then occasionally too there are there are

occasionally too there are there are

occasionally too there are there are other stories that give me a little bit

Jason De León: Decoding Stories of Border Crossing | Nat Geo Live

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