Archeology Update January 2001

We would like to recognize the following who have served as interns both as Volunteer (free lodging no stipend) or as paid intern (free lodging and $5/hr student stipend) :

Also participating were the following On-Site Project Scientists

Intern lodging was generously donated by Cinnamon Bay Campground and Maho Bay Campground. In 1999 Maho Bay Campground alone donated $23,000 in tax deductible lodging. Interns at Maho Bay Camps are required to conduct a weekly presentation to Maho guests. This benefits both the guests and the project as it insures that the interns understand research topics well enough to conduct an oral presentation to groups that have often numbered over one hundred. Completing these presentations also results in an increase in volunteer participation and an awareness of cultural resource protection by guests. The talks also increase membership in the Friends of the Park organization, which helps to fund this project and many other projects that aim to protect both the cultural and natural resources of the park.

To a large degree the continuation of student stipends has been made possible through cooperative efforts with local businesses. The most successful undertaking is the continued partnership/donation with R&I Patton Goldsmithing, a local jewelry store. Working with Rudy and Irene Patton, molds of project adornos (Zemi) faces were cast. Dental casting material was used, as it is most effective in obtaining an exact reproduction while insuring that the artifact is not adversely affected. Plaster casts were then produced from the dental castings for local classroom educational art programs. From these molds R&I Patton casts the images in bronze and sterling silver. Each one is hand engraved on the back (very time consuming) by Irene identifying them as replicas. Then she or an employee string the pendants and attach labels which provide archeological information on the adorno and include a statement about why original artifacts should not be bought or sold. The bronze pendants are sold by the Friends of the Park through a volunteer program. The sterling silver pendants are sold by the staff at R&I Patton. The real kicker is that the metals and all the work and costs that go into making these pendants plus the time employees spend in selling them goes directly towards funding the archeological research. If a pendant in their store sells for $100 then the project gets $100. These types of partnerships are a win-win arrangement. Obviously it benefits the research financially but it also provides an educational product for the project visitor and volunteers. How does R&I Patton benefit? In many ways; it increases traffic into their store from project visitors and in 1999 they had an $11,000 tax deductible donation to report, but to Rudy and Irene the most important benefit is knowing that their donation has played an important role in continuing the research effort.

In July of 1999, the Prime minister of Granada gave the opening speech at the XVIII International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology. In that speech he asked for help, as the island's heritage was being vandalized and sold to tourists, primarily first century AD period ceramic effigies. Before the conference ended Ken Wild met with the Prime minister at Cinnamon Bay. They went over how the educational program promoted community awareness and how involvement helps to instill pride in the island's history and advance an attitude of preservation and protection. That particular day a St. John elementary school and a state side high school group were participating. Ken and the Prime Minister then reviewed the relationship with R&I Patton, the reproductions produced, and the substantial number of sales that have resulted from the program. It is one which promotes the involvement of a high number of volunteers, and recognizes the importance of site tours for education but also presents the significance of original artifacts. In so doing it is hoped to demonstrate that local craftsman might have much more to gain financially through the sale of reproductions, if island heritage and education is promoted through an archaeological program based upon a strong, yet balanced volunteer/education program which can also produce good scientific results.

Contact the friends to volunteer or to help fund this vital activity at thedig@friendsvinp.org now! You can make a difference!