A University of Mary Washington professor was among a team of Anglo-American
archaeologists who last summer discovered the remains of an early colonial
settlement on the Caribbean island of Nevis.
British professor Roger Leech of the University of Southampton collaborated
with Carter Hudgins, chair and distinguished professor in the history department
at the University of Mary Washington, and Eric Klingelhofer of Mercer University.
They led the excavation to confirm whether or not an earthquake and tidal
wave destroyed the settlement of Jamestown in the late 17th century.
According to legend, the people and buildings of Jamestown vanished under
the sea when a tidal wave flooded the island.
For two weeks, the team explored a coconut grove and riding stable for the
site of the settlement, estimated at 200 by 400 yards, along the former shoreline.
The Anglo-American test trenches contained wall foundations for three separate
buildings that were more than two feet high and included objects associated
with the mid-1600s. One of the walls slanted five to 10 degrees and half of
its length plummeted nearly a foot toward the sea. Due to these observations,
the archaeologists theorized an earthquake, documented to have taken place
in 1690, could have hit the area.
The Nevis settlement may not be an identical replica of the early American
colony of Jamestown; however, the team of researchers found a variety of similar
artifacts between them. Some of the items include relics from expensive Italian
and German imported vessels and kitchen wares produced by African slaves.
Next summer, the team plans to continue its excavation as part of a field
school for teaching historical archaeology in the Caribbean. Since little
is known about colonial life of the 1600s, the researchers intend to find
out more about the buried remains, excavate a 17th-century home and scrutinize
the evidence related to Jamestown’s destruction.
– Lesley Johnson ’05