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Preserving Our Past

Samples of uncovered artefacts from the Argyle site.

Visiting Professor Corinne Hofman of Leiden University in The Netherlands shared, in an exclusive interview with THE VINCENTIAN, her enthusiasm over recent finds uncovered during a current archeological ‘dig’ on grounds scheduled for redevelopment within the Argyle International Airport site.

Hofman is head of Caribbean Archeological Studies at Leiden University. During the past few weeks, a number of undergraduate students along with site supervisor, Ph.D. candidate and lecturer Alistair Bright, have uncovered what Professor Hofman feels is a project with enormous potential.

This pilot project which began earlier this month is the first ‘horizontal excavation’ site where evidence of housing has been uncovered. This specific site is below the old church on the lower Argyle slope on the International Airport site, and is believed to have been a hamlet of two or three buildings.

In the same area, Amerindian pottery was discovered in 1993 along with stone tools such as axes which would have been used to fell trees and make dug -out canoes. These discoveries, which have been found along the windward coast and in neighboring islands, are believed to have Black Carib and subsequently Garifuna origins.

The researchers have uncovered actual holes for posts which would have supported the early structures. They expect to be able to identify the shape and layout of the structures and how the actual community would have been organized. The artifacts uncovered to date, when carbon dated and researched further, will give a better determination of age; but it appears they go as far back as 4-500 AD and into pre and post-colonial periods as late as the 18th century. Some of the Amerindian pottery have inlaid European type beads that could indicate that the settlers on the lower slope had a trading relationship with European explorers and settlers.

‘Going to come’

The five-person team leaves St. Vincent on January 22, but hopes to return with a larger group to expand and complete the project during the summer. They feel that there is great potential for further research along the entire windward coast of St. Vincent. They extended an entuusiastic “Thank you” to the Argyle Airport Development team for making this research possible and for making their stay on St. Vincent so comfortable. They also thanked The National Trust for its facilitation and assistance both in the field and behind the scenes.

Prime funding for this project is provided by Leiden University with ‘in kind’ support being supplied by the Argyle International Airport Development Company. This includes machinery for site clearing and surface preparation, housing and even food preparation. Collaboration with the airport authority and Leiden University is handled by St. Vincent & the Grenadines National Trust and its tireless Past Chairperson and current Chair of its Archaeology Committee, Mrs. Kathy Martin.

When major projects such as international airport development evolve, our knowledge of history and roots could be irretrievably buried for all time. Vincentians owe great thanks to the combined vision of the National Trust, working with the Argyle International Development Company.

The National Trust is planning over the next few weeks to have a public display for some of the more interesting pottery and artifacts that have been uncovered to date. It is hoped that a museum will be established to house a permanent display for the enjoyment and knowledge of generations to come.

The University of Leiden archaeological team when they return later this year will encourage residents of St. Vincent who would like to be part of the project, to volounteer their time, and for educators to encourage students to participate with a view to exposing them to possible career opportunities.

source of article:
The Vincentian
by: Ben Harrison
22/01/2010
www.thevincentian.com