Archaeology
The Archaeology Division of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) is presently located at Headquarters House, 79 Duke Street, Jamaica. The Archaeology Division is the government department, which oversees and regulates Jamaica's archaeological resources. The mission statement of the Archaeology Division is: To inspire a sense of National Pride in all Jamaicans through the promotion, preservation and development of our material cultural heritage utilising a highly motivated and qualified team in conjunction with all our partners. The Archaeology Division consists of four technical units; field unit, finds unit, conservation unit, technical support unit which includes the information technology staff and photography. The Technical Director of Archaeology is Roderick Ebanks, the Deputy Technical Director is Mr. Dorrick Gray.
What is Archaeology?
Archaeology is the scientific study of the human past through the investigation of; artifacts, structures, animals, plants and human remains.
The Importance of Archaeology to the Jamaican Society.
Archaeology provides patriotic attitudes and economic sustainability for Jamaicans. Archaeology is a means by which Jamaicans can learn about their history, heritage and culture from a primary source of information. This may foster patriotism while increasing awareness of the their cultural environment.
Archaeology is an economic tool to facilitate the growth of heritage and community tourism, by the use of artifacts in museums, the creation of heritage parks and conducting of heritage tours.
Current Projects of the JNHT Archaeology Division.
The Archaeology Division is actively involved in the preservation of Jamaica's archaeological resource base. In the past four years the Division has contributed to major projects for Jamaica's development; namely the North Coast Highway Project, Old Harbour Bypass Road Project and The Highway 2000.
North Coast Highway
The North Coast Highway Development Project is a government initiative to improve the entire stretch of north coast road from Negril in the West, to Port Antonio in the East of the island. The project involves reconstruction of the existing road alignment, curve flattening, repair of old bridges, and the construction of new roads and improved drainage systems. These facilities will increase opportunities for economic growth and tourism while reducing travelling time. The government's objectives are to facilitate a safer environment for all, and to improve access to the tourist attractions.
The length of the roadway is approximately 225 kilometers. The development have been taking place in three Segments; Segment 1-Negril to Montego Bay, Segment 2 - Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, and Segment 3 - Ocho Rios to Port Antonio.
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust's Archaeology Division was recruited to manage the archaeological component of the North Coast Highway. The proposed road alignment for Segments 1 and 2 has been assessed and reports handed to the Ministry of Local Government, which is responsible for the project's implementation. The assessment for Segment 3 will be completed in the future. Forty sites are directly affected in Segment 1 and sixteen sites in Segment 2. They include open-air settlements and caves, plantations and sugar factory complexes. In addition, Anglo and African-Jamaican vernacular houses, and other historic and contemporary monuments are affected.
The Archaeology Division team has completed the pre-construction-surveying, mapping and excavating the sites for Segment1. Some sites worked on are Blue Hole Estate, Barbican, Cousins Cove, and Green Island.
In addition, the Archaeology team also conducted archaeological assessment of ten areas chosen for the resettlement of individuals and families.
The Old Harbour-Bypass
The Government of Jamaica commissioned the Old Harbour Bypass as a part of its road improvement programme. The project falls within the portfolio of the Ministry of Transport and Works. The 14.7 Kilometers of highway will traverse the parishes of Clarendon and St. Catherine. The town of Old Harbour in St Catherine will be by-passed. Areas affected by the project include Nightingale Grove, Cherry Garden, Bushy Park, Gordon Wood, Church Pen, Old Harbour, The Whim, Bodles, in St. Catherine. While in the Parish of Clarendon, Freetown, Toby Abbott, Inverness and Sandy Bay will be affected. The Highway will run parallel to the railway line from Cherry Garden to Bodles in St. Catherine.
Sites which maybe affected by the Old Harbour By-pass Project
The existing portion of the Bushy Park Aqueduct begins at the intersection at Gutters (South Catherine). It is situated approximately 35 metres east of Bushy Park Road runs parallel to as far as the railway crossing. It continues further south beyond the train line for about one hundred metres.
This unique aqueduct was built between 1760 and 1780 on the flood plains of Coleburns Gully. The alluvial sediments made the area ideal for large-scale cultivation of sugarcane. Today, the area is void of large scale cultivated crops. Vegetation cover is predominated by guinea grass and other varieties of grass, an indication that the area had been utilized as a grazing pen. Few acacia, mangoes and guango tress punctuate the area. However, the few houses that occupy portions of the land have a variety of fruit trees on their properties.
The aqueduct is currently in a good condition. However, areas around the aqueduct need to be cleared of vegetation.
Developmental Impact
The proposed highway construction may require the destruction of a significant portion of the aqueduct on the southern side of the train line. Approximately, 40 feet are projected to be destroyed. Already, about 25 metres have been demolished for construction of the railway track and parochial road.
The Field Team of the Archaeology Division is currently surveying, illustrating, photographing, and excavating the aqueduct in order to get the complete measurement of the structure.
Toby Abott is one of the sites, which will be destroyed as a result of the Old Harbour Bypass. Toby Abbott is located between the districts of Freetown and Inverness in the parish of Clarendon. The area proposed for the construction of the Bypass is relatively flat for the most part with limestone hills to the west. The Archaeology Division's archives had identified a Taino site in the area. During the plantation era Toby Abbot was a cattle estate.
The first field survey found wine bottle sherds around a dry pond area. A Taino site was also discovered nearby. This area has been excavated. Artifacts found revealed that the site should be classified as a redware transition site.
Developmental Impact
The highway construction may destroy portions of Taino sites not readily detected on the surface due to vegetation cover, namely Seymour grass.
Mitigation Action of the Archaeology Division
- A second field survey when the vegetation cover is removed.
- Watching brief during actual road construction.
Inverness is located south of Sandy Bay, and the railway track. The topography is a combination of rugged limestone formation and large pockets of flat lands. Limestone hills are occupied by dense semi-arid shrub vegetation, while the low-lying areas are dominated by Seymour grass and small/acacia trees. The dense shrub overgrowth combined with rugged terrain made surveying efforts extremely difficult at times.
Archival documents have shown a large Taino site south of the proposed highway. A cordage factory is also located in the area. The team is aware of other structures that may possibly be linked to slavery.
Developmental Impact
The Taino site is not affected. Highway construction may destroy sites not yet discovered.
Archaeology Division's Mitigation Action
- Additional field surveys after the area has been cleared of vegetation cover.
- Watching brief.
- Pre-construction archaeological excavation if necessary.
Underwater Archaeology Exhibitions in Port Royal
Underwater explorations and excavations have been conducted in Port Royal over the years. Here is a listing of such excavations. After the 1692 earthquake, people tried to salvage anything considered to be valuable from the area, which became known as the Sunken City.
1859: Jeremiah Murphy, a naval diver, using a diving bell located the remains of Fort James.
1956-1959: Edwin Link, dug test pits in the King's Warehouse and Fort James.
1960: Norman Scott explored Fort Carlisle.
1965-1968: Robert Marx, excavated between twenty to thirty buildings in the Sunken City.
1981 - Present: Institute of Nautical Archaeology of the Texas A&M University in close cooperation with the Archaeology Division excavated buildings near the intersection of Queen and High Street.
Excavation Conducted on Land in Port Royal (Terrestrial Archaeology)
1968-1971: Phillip Mayes excavated at the Old Naval Dockyard. Some of the sites found are as follows; The Church of St. Paul 1682, a part of 17th century High Street and a variety of structures related the 18th and 19th century function of the area as a dockyard.
1971-1972: Anthony Priddy excavated the following areas in Port Royal; the Church Yard of St. Peters, Fort Charles, the University of the West Indies Marine Laboratory site and 17th -19th century dwelling house foundations located on New Street.
1975-1984: G. A. Aaron's excavated plots between Board Street, Well Street and Well site located in Port Royal.
1986- Present: the Jamaica National Heritage Trust /Archaeology Division has excavated several plots.
What is underwater archaeology?
Underwater archaeology is a specialized branch of archaeology which studies the human past through the investigation of artifacts or material culture, the use of structures, animal, plants and human remains, in a marine environment.
