Archaeological survey of colonial dominica

Archaeological Reconnaissance to Locate French and English Plantations in Dominica (Eastern Caribbean) 1700-1900. The goal of this research was to establish the presence and chronology of colonial settlements in Dominica through the documentation and delineation of cultural deposits. Reconnaissance followed a multi-staged process increasing in intensity from pedestrian survey and shovel test pit strategy. While the spectrum of archaeological remains was considered, special focus was placed on the recording and analysis of plantation sites and associated deposits. Test excavations constituted a second phase of analysis to establish a chronology for the plantation settlement. Seven settlement features were excavated using 1 x 1 meter excavation units in a variety of arrangements. Intrasite analysis provided a primary analytical window into regional variation of settlement organization especially as it correlated to differences between coffee and sugar plantations – the two main plantation types in Dominica. Results from analyzed artifact patterns and ceramic shape/function shed light on the function of these various features and establishes a chronology relative to each other. These results indicate discrete archaeological deposits from 4 phases: 1) Pre/Protohistoric (pre 1700); 2) Early French (1740-1763); 3) British (1763-1830); 4) Post Emancipation (1834-1900Whiteware/Ironstone). Materials from phases 13 were subjected to NAA (Neutron Activation Analysis). Hauser established that the composition of most local ceramics recovered from archaeological testing were similar to ceramics characterized in previous studies and known to have been manufactured in Martinique and Guadeloupe.