Archaeology of a Brothel in Nineteenth-Century Boston, MA

This book

Explores how the practice of nineteenth-century sex work involved a careful construction of fantasy for brothel customers. This fantasy had the potential to provide financial stability and security for the madam of the establishment, if not for the women working for them.

By employing theories of embodiment, sexuality, and an archaeology of the senses, this study of the Endicott Street collection contributes a new methodological and theoretical framework for studying the archaeology of prostitution across time, space, and culture.

Explores both the semi-private, "behind the scenes" narrative of sex work, as well as the semi-public, eroticized "performance space" where patrons were entertained.

is for student and scholars of historical archaeology, nineteenth-century urban America, and gender studies. Students studying feminist theory and archaeology of the senses will also be interested in the contents.