NELSONS DOCKYARD NATIONAL PARK

The annual summer research program has begun.  Archaeologists and students from Chico Campus California State University, led by Professor Georgia Fox have returned to work at Betty’s Hope.  This field school provides an opportunity for students to gain valuable field experience in excavation, cataloguing, processing of finds and in the use of field equipment.  The area of focus is the “Great House” and its surrounding courtyard and associated buildings.  This house is proving to be far larger than expected.  All of the original stone and brick floors appear to be intact as are lower sections of the massive stonewalls of the lower ground floor. 

Dr. Fox is also a professional conservationist and underwater archaeologist.  The National Parks research department’s long-term plan includes the setting up of a conservation lab and it is anticipated that underwater archaeological research will resume in English Harbour. 

Research on Barbuda has taken a major step forward with the Barbuda Council allocation of two structures to be used as research stations.  Graduate student and archaeologist Cory Look and Professor Sophia Perdikaris (CUNY) has begun the process of converting the structures, outfitting the labs, and registering the Barbuda Archaeological Research Archaeological Center (BARC).  Survey and mapping of archaeological sites in the numerous cave systems continues by a select number of students from Brooklyn College.  In January 2011 a large scale excavation project will be carried out on an early ceramic age site.  Students will remain in the field for eight months during which time a variety of ecological and archaeological studies will be implemented.  The National Parks Research Department is a full partner in the research program on both Barbuda and Antigua.