Converging Worlds: Excavation of the Highbourne Cay Shipwreck

The Converging Worlds Project began in 2017 in response to a cultural heritage assessment conducted at the Highbourne Cay Shipwreck (HCW) site, located in the northern Exumas, Bahamas. The wreck is possibly the earliest surviving European shipwreck in the Americas, and is representative of a poorly-known period in history. A multifaceted research design brought together an international team of researchers who partnered with local groups to ensure sufficient study and protection is granted to this unique material. Although the primary focus of the project was to fully excavate, record, and conserve all remaining cultural heritage, a novel reef transplantation technique was added into an existing coral reef management framework. The project’s broader goals included establishing a collaborative network in the region that can sustain future opportunities for Bahamians. Sponsors of the project include Texas A&M University, National Geographic Society, and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology.