PY2826

Views of forts and castles along the Gold Coast, West Africa Long Caption: Print depicting 11 forts. Europeans built large forts along the coast of West Africa to defend their trading interests from rivals and competitors. There were approximately 50 forts in a 300-mile stretch of coastline. Initially, they were built to protect the gold trade but as transatlantic slavery developed, the forts became increasingly used to house captives in windowless dungeons as they awaited the Middle Passage. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: PAH2826 Artist: unknown Date: 1907 Medium: engraving Size: 329 mm x 448 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.