Geophysical Investigations of Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Sites on Sint Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean

Summary

This is an abstract from the "NSF REU Site: Exploring Globalization through Archaeology 2019–2020 Session, St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Sint Eustatius served as a free port in the late seventeenth century, enabling the island to prosper in a evolving global economy. To better understand the role Sint Eustatius played in globalization, archaeological assessments have occurred at SE094 (Fort Amsterdam), SE095 (historic plantation), SE127/410 (Lazaretto), and SE600 (unmarked cemetery). These investigations were conducted to locate the extent and integrity of any prehistoric and historic archaeological sites on the property for continued preservation. Geophysical investigations, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and gradiometry, were conducted in 2017 and 2019 to locate subsurface structures or features, including the possible location of the village associated with the plantation’s enslaved community. GPR data were collected using a 400 mhz antennae and the gradiometer data was recorded using a single axis fluxgate gradiometer. Although most commerce on the island revolved around free trade, several plantations were in operation on the island and were largely supported by the enslaved community. This data contributes to our understanding of site use and the role the plantation played during the colonial period and provides insight into the lifeways of the individuals which contributed to the island’s wealth.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• NSF REU Site: Exploring Globalization through Archaeology 2019–2020 Session, St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean   •
• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32188