GIS Illuminates Site Formation Processes: Archaeology of the Fortín de la Perla

Summary

This is the first archaeological investigation into a 17th century Spanish fortification whose remnants lie within a dynamic urban slum setting in La Perla, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Fortín de la Perla does not enjoy protection by any government or cultural agency and its condition has substantially deteriorated due to natural and cultural processes. During the first quarter of the 20th century, parts of the Fortín’s structure and immediate surroundings were settled by poor workers and country folk from all over the island. These first La Perla community members reincorporated what remained of the dilapidated structure as a foundation for dwellings and reutilized building materials. This process is evident in aerial photographs starting in the 1930s. By digitizing and georeferencing historical maps, Spanish Military Engineering plans, and aerial photographs, we are able to distinguish the cultural site formations processes. Armed with this information, we can enter into the discussion of what should be done with the Fortín as it stands today.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage