The Caribbean region projects a rich diversity in cultural settings that relate to a complex historical landscape in which local contexts punctuate global trends with unique material expressions. Archaeologists have explored a wide range of social issues and intellectual problems including colonialism, contact, globalization, power, and the complexities of slavery and freedom. This chapter will provide an overview of historical archaeology in the region including a review of research foci, an examination of thematic problems that have been addressed, theoretical approaches that have been used, and perspectives on new trends and ideas that are being explored today (Figs. 1 and 2). The social history of the region defines some of the key problems that researchers have addressed. For the Caribbean Basin, this includes understanding the region as a point of contact between European and Native Americans, a place where the Atlantic worlds of Africa, Europe, and theAmericas, and in particular the Caribbean, served as a critical stage for the intersection of global relations (Fig. 3). Archaeological studies have in one way or another addressed and bridged broad geographical, cultural, and political issues with the examination of localized sites and global contexts. Archaeologists have pursued their research from a wide range of theoretical perspectives and thematic interests, but the composite results highlight the importance of understanding historical contexts of cultural diversity, the richness of local history, and the interconnected nature of social relations from multiple scales of analysis.

A Sea of Diversity: Historical Archaeology in the Caribbean

Preliminary report on the archaeological investigations of the submerged remains of Port Royal, Jamaica 1981–1982

Encyclopedia of Caribbean Archaeology

Underwater cultural heritage (UCH) contributes to history, the arts, the economy and science. The number of intact and easily discoverable UCH sites is decreasing due to excavation in China. To conduct active surveys for mapping archaeological sites, rather than mapping based only on incidental reported finds from fishing operations, a regional archaeological underwater survey method is proposed according to independent geographical units and historical archives. This method is based on the approach used for systematic regional archaeological surveys on land and comprehensively examines similar survey examples. Old port districts, sea routes, fishing zones and naval battle areas are potential targets for this method. From 2012 to 2017, the survey method performed well when applied in the Haitan Strait, China, discovering intact sites, fragmented shipwrecks and numerous interfering objects. The method needs further refinement to eliminate interference and to obtain more detailed information about UCH. The main steps in this method include the selection of potential wreck site areas, the use of sequential equipment and survey line design. Cooperation between archaeologists and surveyors is essential.

Regional archaeological underwater survey method: Applications and implications

Summary
In September 1968, one of the authors (P. Mayes), having been appointed Head of Mission by the British Ministry of Overseas Development to act as advisor to the Jamaica National Trust Commission, made recommendations which formed the basis for the establishment of the Port Royal Project. The Project is concerned with the excavation, conservation and presentation of 17th century Port Royal, which was founded in 1655 and destroyed by an earthquake in 1692 (see Fig. 1).

For the purposes of archaeology the area was divided into three: the Archaeological-Historical Reserve, encompassing the protected underwater area and lands currently occupied by government facilities at the west end of Port Royal; the area in the centre of Port Royal which is protected archaeologically by modern housing and the area at the east end of Port Royal in which it was proposed that commercial expansion should be allowed on land held on lease from the Jamaican government.

Work began early in 1969 in a section of this last area, which was threatened, at that time, by the construction of an hotel. This area was part of the shoal water section of sunken Port Royal (see below and Fig. 2). Since that date excavation headquarters and conservation laboratories have been established in the old naval hospital and the construction of a major museum, the first phase of the presentation programme, has begun.

Port Royal, Jamaica: The archaeological problems and potential

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Port Royal, Jamaica: The archaeological problems and potential