History Detectives Season 2 Episode 11 Charlie Parker Saxophone; Prison Plaque; Koranic School Book

History Detectives is a captivating show that follows a group of experts as they explore the stories behind various historical artifacts. In season 2, episode 11, the team takes on three diverse cases: a saxophone that allegedly belonged to jazz legend Charlie Parker, a plaque from a prison that served as a backdrop for one of the most famous riots in American history, and a book from a Koranic school that may date back to the era of slavery.

The show starts with the investigation of the Charlie Parker saxophone. The owner, a jazz enthusiast, claims that the instrument was given to him by a former roommate who was close friends with Parker. The team is skeptical at first, as many fake relics circulate the market, but after an analysis of the saxophone's serial number, they are able to trace its origins to a store that sold instruments to Parker in the 1950s. The next challenge is to determine if the saxophone has any personal markings or modifications that can link it to Parker. With the help of Parker's former bandmate and other experts, the team discovers that the saxophone has a distinct sound and key configuration that matches Parker's playing style. They also uncover a small inscription that Parker may have made on the mouthpiece. The investigation leads to a surprising revelation about Parker's personal life and the role that the saxophone played in it.

In the second segment, the History Detectives turn their attention to a plaque from the Attica Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in New York that was the site of a deadly riot in 1971. The plaque was given to a former employee of the prison who witnessed the events and saved it from being discarded. The team investigates the history of the prison and the riot, which was sparked by the inmates' demands for better living conditions and political rights. They also analyze the plaque's design and text, which contains the names of the 43 people who died in the riot as well as the signatures of the prison officials who authorized the plaque. The detectives interview former inmates and guards who were present during the riot and try to determine if the plaque has any value beyond its historical significance. The investigation reveals an overlooked aspect of the riot and its aftermath and sheds light on the challenges of preserving historical artifacts from controversial events.

The show concludes with the analysis of a Koranic school book that was found at a flea market in Alabama. The book, written in Arabic, contains religious commentaries and illustrations that depict African and Arabic cultural life. The owner suspects that the book may be linked to the era of slavery and the Islamic traditions that accompanied it. The History Detectives examine the book's physical properties and language, which suggest that it was hand-written and copied by multiple scribes over a long period. They also consult with Islamic scholars and historians who offer insights into the book's contents and context. The detectives explore the ways in which the book may have been used to teach and empower slaves who were denied access to formal education. They also consider the book's value as a cultural artifact that reflects the interplay between different religious and ethnic traditions in the American South.

Overall, History Detectives season 2 episode 11 is a thrilling and informative voyage into the past that showcases the diversity of the American experience through the lens of three fascinating objects.