THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

When Gudrun arrived in Statia in June 2007, Gudrun knew this island was the place she wanted to call home for the next few years. After returning home in September 2007, Gudrun made a successful return to Statia and will be working as Grant's assistant.


Gudrun is an experienced archaeologist originally from Belgium (she'll take your arm off if you suggest she's from Holland!). Gudrun has worked the last 3 years as an archaeologists running projects all over Holland and the occasional excavation in Southern France and the Near East.


Gudrun is assisting SECAR and other interested groups learn more about the Dutch Monument Legislation. Gudrun is also currently supervising a development on the waterfront which involves recording one of the last standing warehouses. This will project will require excavation, drawing, photography, supervision of volunteers, cataloging artefacts, researching the possible uses of the warehouse and finally report writing. WHEW!!! Volunteers are always welcome to come and give Gudrun a hand!


However, be warned! Gudrun is the driving party force behind SECAR! (Of course only on the weekends, Grant). Gudrun is a familiar with local hangout and activities, although she's just as much fun out as she is in the lab!

Angie the Aussie

Angie is our resident Australian. She studies Aboriginal and Convict archaeology in Sydney. She came to Statia to further her interests in Public Archaeology. Angie's role as an intern is to promote awareness and understanding of archaeology in the local school systems. Angie has become an Island celebrity with the local children.


Angie's other projects include updating this blog and writing a newsletter about the archaeology on Statia. She is currently organising a fair to promote local participation with the many volunteer organisations on the Island, including: the Historical Foundation, St Eustatius National Park (Stenapa), Statia Pride and of course, SECAR.

Angie's known for her good humour and great cooking skills. We have all appreciated her enthusiasm for life on the Island. The Island, however, has not shown her the same love...



With all the skills she brought with her from Australia, she didn't forget the most important Aussie skill of all: beer drinking. It's not Foster's but she makes do.
Admittedly, the Island is a bit muntered and she's fairly knackered, but you will always hear her ask: "How 'bout a beer, Mate?". YIH!

"TUBERCULOSIS IS FUN"...

...says Amy Raes, one of the current SECAR Interns. Amy (aka "The Bone Lady") is an Osteoarchaeologist and Paleopathologist, meaning Amy studies human and animal remains and ancient diseases. Amy is a Canadian (living near the Arctic Circle!) and has a Masters degree from Bournemouth University in England. Amy's main interest lies in the development of diseases and how the diseases can affect the bones.


For the last 3 years, Amy has run a field school and an Osteo lab in Peru, where she has excavated and analysed mummies. This year she has joined SECAR to examine the skeletal remains recovered from different sites on Statia, in particular from the Leprosarium. She is patiently teaching the SECAR group different bones, although some pick it up better than others. Amy is also giving presentations to the local Medical students and was asked the difficult question in the 1st presentation "Is it true that you shouldn't take blue beads from the Leprosarium because they're bad voodoo?".


Amy is known for her sense of humour, although it can be a little eyebrow raising at times. (When showing an x-ray of a child's legs with rickets, Amy chuckled at the fact the child would never walk). Her advice for all students and anyone who finds a bone is DON'T LICK IT. You might think it's a way to identify the material but diseases can stay in the bone and surrounding soil for over 150 years.


Amy's second piece of advice for those planning to visit Statia is "If you come to the island of Statia, go to Chuckies and ask for the Dutch Plumber. Tell 'em Bandit sent you..."



Amy will be on Statia until early April so feel free to contact us via email or blog to ask Amy about her current research!

Life Experiences

Those of us who have come onto the program are quite lucky in the fact that if we put in the time and effort into our projects (whether they be archaeological or other...), we are rewarded with more than archaeological training.

On the Friday 25th January, the excavation team were given permission to go to St Kitts, a nearby island. While the boat ride was about 1 3/4hrs and at times I thought I was going to hurl but the trip was definitely worth it.



Our ride to St Kitts


We wandered around town and noted while there was a lot more tourism (and shopping possibilities!). The locals were not as friendly as the Statians but that is to be expected. However, prices weren't too over the top as long as you had your wits about you. We also visited Brimstone Hill Fort. This fort was built by the English and is up on a very steep hill but our driver was more than up to the task of getting us up there... It was beautiful and hopefully we'll visit again.



Wandering around town


View from fort
(In photo: St Eustatius)



Restored cannon



(in photo:Cate, Amy, Gudrun, John and Angie)


But wait there's still more...
Today we were lucky enough to have to opportunity to go snorkeling in a small sheltered bay called Cora Cora. Opportunities are rare so we were glad that the Director let us go. We saw plenty of colourful fish and a few sharks... unfortunately all the photos are waiting to be developed... maybe one day we'll post a few!

Have you found any gold yet?

No, we haven't yet but here is a sample of the range of artefacts that can be found in one 1x1m square on Statia.



Mochaware, tin enamel ware, afro-Carribean ware (locally made by the slaves and traded by slaves), pearlware (willow pattern and polchrome), English salt glaze, burnished coarse earthenware, variety of glass bottles from France, England, Holland, Germany, metal nails and sheets (possibly for making musket balls), 18th century lead crystal wine glasses with a fancy swirl inside and of course, if you're very lucky...




blue beads. They were used for trade by the Dutch and apparently the slaves of Statia wore them as bead necklaces. However, when the slaves were set free they would throw their necklaces into the sea. People who find them washed up along the shores are allowed to keep them but they must return to Statia every year... So keep your eyes peeled!

Toto, I don't think we're in the Caribean anymore...

After beautiful weather for the 1st 2 weeks of the SECAR excavation experience, the weather has turned freakish like the coast of England. It has been raining since Friday (but cleared up in time for the beach party on Saturday!). However, despite the rain, the island still looks beautiful.



Beach weather
(in photo: Amy, Cate and Davey)

vs.



The wet and choppy.

During the wet weather, our time is spent in the lab sorting artefacts i.e. first separating into material: glass, ceramic, metal etc and then different types e.g ceramic: coarse earthenware, creamware, pearlware, stoneware etc. While it may not seem as fun as being out in the dirt, every good archaeologist know that you only spend approx 10% of your time in the field. The rest of your time is dedicated to cataloging, analysis, report writing and (hopefully) publishing.

Anyway here are some action shots of the team which I hope you'll enjoy! So far we've opened 4 1x1 m squares on a site on the edge of town which may be the site of a Free Blacks Village. Test excavation conducted mid last year has uncovered building foundations and we are currently trying to find the extent of the site.



Our site almost has a view to the beach but it has been blocked by the "Hurricane Shelter" - that story we might explain some other time!
(in photo: Elizabeth)



Students receiving instruction from our Director
(in photo: Grant, Cate and John)



Cate working the Total Station and is now a real pro at leveling the legs and instrument.



All loose soil is sifted
(in photo: Amy)



Day in the lab
(in photo: Cate, Elizabeth, John, Grant, Gudrun & Amy)

Archaeologists of the Caribbean... ARRRGGGHH

Skull, crossbones and hour glass on the tomb of Jan De Windt (amended 22/01/2008)not Johannes De Graaff - sorry!), Governor of St Eustatius. De Windt worked towards maintaining a peaceful relationship between the Jewish communities on the island. The skull, crossbones and hourglass is believed to be a Jewish symbol meaning death before one's time.


Welcome to everyone who have come to view the SECAR blog!

The intention of this blog is to bring together a collective of written and photographic memories (and of course experiences) shared by those who have come all over the world to this little island (8km by 4km!) in the Caribbean, and to tempt you into joining us!

There are currently 6 participants in the SECAR excavation program (3 student volunteers and 3 interns) whom are staying on Statia between 3 weeks to possibly 3 years! Most are staying for 3 months and it is currently the 2nd week into the program. So far we have conducted a historical tour around town (and parts of the island), began test excavation of a probable Free Black Village site (our focus for 2008) and had an overview of the ceramics and glass found on the island.

During our free time we've gone hiking on the Quill (the volcano of the island) and swam almost every day in the Caribbean. Life is quiet and quite sleepy, but it's relaxing and absolutely beautiful. To loosely paraphrase the Director of SECAR, Dr. R. Grant Gilmore III, the Excavation Experience should also be a Life Experience.

Hope you'll keep coming back to read our entries and visit Statia one day!




View of Oranje Bay from Fort Oranje.




View of Zeelandia from Quill




View of the Quill, the (dormant) volcano




View of St Kitts from Fort De Windt
(In photo: Gudrun and Cate)




View of Statia's 1739 Synagogue Honen Dalim




Sunset along Oranje Bay
(In photo: John)




(In photo: John, Angie, Cate and Elizabeth)