The Department of Youth and Culture held a Press Conference to inform the general public about an archeological dig that at Wallblake House commenced on 24th June and concluded on 14th July, 2017.
An excerpt from the reseachers’ report stated that The Wallblake House site was selected based on the excellent preservation of the central buildings of the plantation complex, as well as the identification of an area to the south along a low limestone ridge where eighteenth and early nineteenth-century artifacts were visible on the surface. Given the location relative to the main house complex, this area fits general expectations for the location of houses occupied by plantation laborers working in the central complex both in the industrial complex and in the main house. The standing structures of the central building complex, cattle round and visible walls and foundations will be mapped. A controlled surface collection of a grid projected over the area of the artifacts scatter is proposed, along with shovel tests at grid intersections to test the presence and depth of any archaeological deposits. This will be followed by judgmentally placed test excavation units in areas where particularly promising archaeological deposits have been located. Selected locations in the main house complex will also have surface collections, shovel tests and test excavation units excavated to provide comparative data.
According to the excerpt, artifacts will be washed, labelled, identified using standard references, catalogued and photographed in the field laboratory and then prepared for curation at a facility of the Government of Anguilla’s choosing. No artifacts or samples will leave the island. Analysis and interpretation will take place after the field season at Temple University using the records from the field. A report will be prepared and copies provided to the Government, Catholic Church and Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society. The research team will spend three weeks working at the plantation from June 24 – July 16, with one anthropology graduate student and four undergraduates from Temple University, along with five or six students from Anguilla.
Speakers at the Press Conference included: Director Department of Youth and Culture. Dr. Paul Farnsworth, team leader from Temple University, members of the team and other stakeholders.
