Hi guys, I'm kronique! I'm a PhD student in Canada, studying African archaeology. This picture is of me (not one of the kidnapped archaeologists!). Over the past 7 years I've done archaeological research in Tanzania (twice), Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

When you spend a lot of time in one area (especially a remote area), you get to know the people. It's common to hire local collaborators, and important to form relationships with people who you encounter. Here I am with some of the kids we would see every day in 2016 on our way to Magubike Rockshelter, Tanzania.

On Feb.22, 2017, two German archaeologists working in northern Nigeria were kidnapped. They are reportedly being held for ransom, but are expected to be returned safely upon payment.

In addition, two local hunters (Anas Ibrahim and Adamu Abdulrahim) tried to help stop the kidnapping, and were killed.

https://conflictantiquities.wordpress.com/2017/02/25/nigeria-kaduna-kadarko-jenjela-gunmen-killed-excavation-workers-kidnapped-archaeologists/.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201702240135.html/
.http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/nigerian-kidnappers-demand-200000-german-hostages-45706667

My thoughts are with everyone affected by this event.

As you can imagine, the community of African archaeologists is fairly small. We are all feeling shaken by this tragedy. Several of our members have put together a crowdfunding page to support the families of the murdered men.

https://www.youcaring.com/thefamiliesofanasibrahimandadamuabdulrahim-764684#
FYI - The crowdfunding platform they chose automatically adds a dollar to your donation (which I find to be a dick-move).

Donate if you want, don't if you don't. I dislike posts asking for donations, so this is weird for me. I'm sharing this because my heart is broken for these murdered locals and (aside from my meager donation) I don't know how else I can help.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading and I hope you have a good weekend.

Tax.

**EDIT - Feb.26 - I just woke up to an email that the German archaeologists have been released unharmed, and no ransom was reported to be paid (https://www.360nobs.com/2017/02/just-two-germans-regain-freedom-nigeria-abduction/). I am relieved for their safe return; my heart remains broken for the families of the murdered local hunters.