The Water Island Archaeological Project:
archaeology and history in the eastern Caribbean

In 1998 extensive investigations were undertaken on Water Island, US Virgin Islands, by a research team from the Southeast Archeological Center, National Park Service. The US government is relinquishing ownership of the island, an action that would affect cultural resources. Earlier surveys had located a number of sites, including the remains of three 18th- and 19th-century plantations, historic wells, prehistoric shell middens and an extensive World War II fortification complex (Wild & Anderson 1992; Knight 2001; Anderson et al. in preparation).

Water Island, located off St Thomas, encompasses about one square mile, and is characterized by steep rocky slopes, a pronounced central ridgeline and a highly indented coastline with numerous bays and beaches (Figure 1, right). Fresh water comes from rainfall, and in small brackish ponds. Vegetation ranges from dry tropical thorn scrub to mangrove/salt ponds.

Danish use of Water Island dates from the late 17th century, when it was stocked with cattle and goats. Evidence for permanent settlement dates from c. 1710. Early use centred on coral and rock mining and growing vegetables and cotton. Annual records of property ownership and resident population exist starting in the 1720s. From the 1760s to 1803 the primary plantation, at Carolina Point, was owned by free coloured planters, one of whom was the captain of the Free Negro Corps formed to help curb slave unrest. A 1778 map (Figure 6, below) shows a Great House and presumed Slave Village with nine houses in this location.

Over 900 person days were spent documenting the location, condition and contents of each site. The ruins of the Great House and a number of outbuildings and slave quarters were found at Carolina Point (Figure 2, above left). The Great House burned c. 1862, and masses of artefactual debris were found underneath brick wall fall. A total of 176 vessels were reconstructed, including 62 plates, 37 bowls, 14 drinking related vessels (mug, teacups, saucers, pitchers), 43 serving dishes (platters, tureens, lids, etc.), 8 storage vessels, and 12 other vessels including inkwells and chamber pots (Figure 3, above).

Three presumed slave cabins were examined that had probably been abandoned with Emancipation in 1848. Local slave produced earthenwares were found, as well as European ceramics, glass bottles, nails and metal tools, as well as both domestic and wild faunal remains. Structure 1, identified by well-defined rock wall lines, contained pierced lead fishing weights, a cane knife (Figure 4, above) and several gunflints, suggesting items used for subsistence or planting activities were stored here. Structure 2, the remains of an L-shaped barracks, contained scissor fragments, an ivory needle case and an array of hand tools, suggesting domestic activities. Structure 3, with a well-defined plaster floor, was deeply buried in an area where no surface architectural features had been observed (Figure 5, left). Our goal is to ensure that the island's sites are preserved or, if this is not possible, carefully excavated.

Acknowledgements

We thank the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior, for funding this project. Emily Yates, Donna Freid and Louise Clay spent c.2000 hours reconstructing the vessel assemblage.

References

• ANDERSON, D.G., D. KNIGHT, R.S. KIDD & E.M. YATES. In preparation. The archaeology and history of Water Island. Tallahassee (FL): Southeast Archeological Center, National Park Service, Technical Report Series.
• KNIGHT, D.W. 2001. Into the light: the enigmatic history of Water Island in the Danish West Indies 1672-1917. St Thomas: Virgin Islands Historical & Genealogical Resource Center.
• WILD, K.S. & D.G. ANDERSON. 1992. An archeological inventory and assessment of cultural resources on Water Island, US Virgin Islands. Tallahassee (FL): Southeast Archeological Center, National Park Service.