The Prehistoric Settlement of Tortola, British Virgin Islands

THE PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT OF TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. Peter DREWETT Institute of Archaeology University College London

Résumé Tortola est la plus grande ile des iles Vierges Anglaises, situées à la jonction des petites et grandes Antilles. En 1994, un inventaire en commun fut entrepris par la société historique des Iles Vierges et l’Université College de Londres. L’inventaire enregistre trois sites préhistoriques et un site étu- COLONIAL TAXA dié à Paraquita Bay. L’inventaire situait cinq grandes (surement permanents ou semipermanents) 0,7 % stations associées à des petites stations ou campements. La Plupart des sites contenaient de la pote- XEROPHYTIC VEGETATION rie de la tradition tardive Ostionoid (après 900 A.D.) alors que trois sites produisaient des maté- 15,5 % riaux plus récents. CORAL REEFS Vingt sondages de 1 m. x 1 m. furent pratiqués sur le petit site de Paraquita Bay. Les materiaux de 29,4 % MAINLAND VEGETATION l’occupation préhistorique comprenant la poterie, des restes de coquillages, des arêtes de poissons 0,4 % et du charbon y furent retrouvés. La poterie consistait principalement en des bols fabriqués locale- ment de l’ostionoid finale. Les premières analyses de ces dépôts d’os indiquent une prédominance de poissons de coraux, surtout des poissons perroquets, mais les arêtes deIsolobodon, un grand rongeur, et d’Emydidae, une tortue, sont particulièrement intéressantes.

Abstract SHALLOW WATER Tortola is thhhe major island of the British Virgin Islands, situated at the junction of the Lesser and 55,1 % Greater Antilles. In 1994 a joint survey was undertaken by the Virgin lslands Historical Society and University College London. The survey recorded thirty three prehistoric sites and testpitted one at Paraquita Bay. The survey located rive major, probably long-lived and permanent or servi-perma- nent, settlements together with minor settlement or camp sites. Most sites had pottery of the Later Ostionoid tradition (post c. 900 A.D.) while three sites produced earlier material. Twenty two 1 m. x 1 m. test pits were excavated at the small site in Paraquita Bay. Table 13. Frequencies of the different habitats of the Tanki Flip archaeological species (%NISP). Prehistoric occupation material comprising poiler, shell refuse, fish bones and charcoal was reco- vered. The pottery consisted mainly of locally-made plain bowls of the final Ostionoid. Preliminary analysis of the bone assemblage indicates a predominance of reef fishes, especially par- rot-fishes, but bones of lsolobodon, a large rodent, and Emydidae, a slider turtlr, are of particular interest.

Resumen Tórtola, la mayor de las Islas Virgenes Británicas, está ubicada justamente entre las Antillas Menores y las Mayores. En la prospección realizada conjuntamente par Historical Society de las Islas Virgenes y el University College London en 1994, se ubicaron 33 sitios prehistóricos, y se prac- ticaron sondeos estratigráficos solamente en Bahia Paraquita. Se identificaron cinco grandes asen- tamientos de ocpación permanente o semi-permanente junto con otros sitios de menor tamaño o de compamento. La mayoría de los sitios contienen cerámica afiliada ai ostionoide tardio (post900 d.C.) mientras que tres sitios presentan materiales más tempranos. Un total de 22 sondeos (1x 1 m.) fueron excavados en Bahía Paraquita. En este asentamiento el material está caracterizado por res- tos de cerámica, caracoles marinos, huesos de pez y fragmentos de carbón. En la cerámica predo- minan los cuencos de manufactura local, sin decoración, del final del ostionoide. Un análisis preli- minar de los restos de fauna indica una preponderancia de peces de arrecife. Entre los ejemplares de interés, hay también restos de Isolobodon (butta) y de Emydidae (tortuga marina).

207 206 Tortola is the major island of the British Virgin Islands, situated at the junction of the lesser and

Greater Antilles. Other than an important shovel test survey of the Belmont site in 1985 (Righter Virtually all the ceramics found represented plain vessels of the final Ostionoid tradition. Only 1990) the British Virgin Islands bave been neglected archaeologically. Cane Garden Bay (Site 5) and Josiah’s Bay (Site 21) revealed earlier red painted ware, probably of Partly to rectify this situation a joint project between the Virgin Islands Historical Society and final Saladoid type. Surface collection at Belmont produced only Ostionoid pottery, although sho- University College London was established in 1994. vel-testing in 1985 also produced final Saladoid material (Righter 1990). Important stone artifacts The aim of the project was to establish a site database and provide both chronological and econo- shown to us by local informants include a stone zemi, possibly of the dog god Yocahu, from Cane mic data by test pitting and, in due course, area excavation. Garden Bay (Site 5) and an eared axe and pounder from Welk Point. Geologically, Tortola consists mainly of uplifted marine-laid volcanics of the Virgin Island Series. Following the discovery of prehistoric pottery, shells and stone tools by Mr. Jon Osman and other This serres is of Upper Cretaceous date and includes tuffs and agglomerates. members of the Historical Society at Paraquita Bay, it was decided to sample this site prior to fur- In addition the western end of the island consists of metamorphosed marine limestones and the ther landscaping and planning. The initial discoveries were within the grounds of the H. L. Stoutt eastern end of Tortola has Eocene intrusions of Diorite. Most bays contain recent littoral alluvial Community College but the site clearly extended both to the south west and to the edge of the man- and salt swamp deposits (Martin-Kaye 1959). It may be assumed that in prehistory Tortola was grove swamp to the south east (Site 2). The extent of the site was determined by augering and soil densely forested, but today the vegetation consists largely of dry scrub and thin woodiand. Sage analysis undertaken by Sylvia Scudder of the Mountain has some rain forest but this may well be secondary growth. The only indigenous land University of Florida. mammal on Prehistoric Tortola was probably the rice rat (Oryzomyine). Twenty two 1 m, x 1 m. test pits were excavated by hand during the period 25th August to 23rd Other rodents such as the Agouti may have been introduced by prehistoric peoples. Lizards, frogs, September, 1994. Natural alluvial sands and clays were reached at depths varying from 40 cm. in bats and birds would have been present and some may have provided a fard source. Trench 22 to 1.7 m. in Trench 9, Trenches 1, 2, 9, 10, Il, 12 and 13 produced evidence of considerable The major source of protein for prehistoric peoples would have been the sea, providing fish, shell- colluviation in the Historic Period, burying the prehistoric occupation horizon with some 70 cm. of fish, turtles and mammals such as manatee. material. This is presumably infill in the lowest part of the valley, resulting from erosion following At what date Tortola was first settled remains uncertain. Late Saladoid pottery from Belmont clearance for agriculture. (Righter 1990), Cane Garden Bay, and Josiah’s Bay currently indicate a date before 600 A.D, but Prehistoric occupation material comprising pottery, shell refuse and fish bones was found across future work will almost certainly result in the discovery of earlier settlement evidence. Following the site from south west to north east. Only Trenches 3-8 produced no significant prehistoric mate- the decline of the Saladoid tradition, indigenous pottery styles developed throughout the rial. Caribbean. These pottery styles in the Virgin Islands may be divided into two Only Trench 19 produced a subsoil feature. This was a small pit some 64cm. in diameter and 40cm. phases of the Ostionoid tradition. An earlier phase lasted from about 600-900 A.D. and a later phase deep. Wet sieving of soil from the pit produced a large sample of shell and fish bones, together with from about 900 A.D. to the probable extermination of the indigenous population following the arri- ceramics and carbonized material. val of the Spanish in the area in 1492. Analysis of the shell refuse was undertaken during the project in the Biology Sites already noted hy members of the Virgin Islands Historical Society were Laboratory of the H. L. Stoutt Community College with the full co-operation and help of the staff. located on 1:25,000 map extracts of Tortola. The coastal hinge, especially bays and ghuts were sur- Six hundred and fifiy six complete shells and 3,812 fragments were identified. The dominant food veyed by pairs of field archaeologists. This followed the technique successfully employed hy the species were Cittarium pica (Linn.) and Strombus gigas (Linn.) but a further 27 species were iden- author in Barhados (Drewett 1991) and the Cayman Islands (Drewett 1992). The north coast of tified. Tortola presented considerable problems of access so the bays from Hell Hole to Cooten Bay were Material culture located consisted entirely of ceramics. These were analysed by Lys Drewett during approached by sea. Major sites were plotted onto 1:2,500 scale maps. Thirty three sites were recor- the project. ded. The total assemblage of excavated pottery sherds was 638 in number, the average sherd weighing Several sites noted by members of the Historical Society were not relocated, either because of dense 6 grams; total weight 3,850 grains. Only one decorated body sherd was present. There were 61 rim vegetation (e. g. Site 12) or development (e. g. Site 3). Test pitting in the future may help relocate sherds, none of which was decorated, and all of which were small (less than 5 cms.). these sites. Estimated vessel equivalents (Orton et al. 1993) cannot be reliably measured from Caribbean cera- Superficially the sites may be divided into major, probably long-lived and permanent or semi-per- mics at the best of times, as unknown proportions of vessels are round, ovoid, or boat-shaped and manent settlements and minor settlement or camp sites. The major sites are: sections are rarely consistent throughout the same vessel. At Paraquita the sherds were also too 4.Brewers Bay small to extrapolate complete vessel forms although some limited information was obtained from 5. Cane Garden Bay the rim profiles. 6. Little Carrot Bay RIM PROFILES 7. Belmont Bay 38% Plain howl 21. Josiah’s Bay 30% Shallow outcurving 8% Incurving and possibly 26, Flamingo Pond, although this site has been badly disturbed. The key sites are the- 8% Thickened, triangular refore mainly on the northern side of Tortola. This may have a simple environmental exploration 6% Upcurving - shallow in that most of the south coast bays would have been mangrove swamps, making access difficult. 5% Rounded with exterior horizontal groove The key sites of Belmont, Cane Garden, Little Carrot and Brewers Bay are in the more sheltered 5% Rim with adomo slope north-western side of the island. 208 209 The surface samples of ceramics collected from the sites clearly represent final activity on the sites.

23% of rim sherds were fine, less than 5 mm. thick. There was a noticeable absence of griddle forms, excavation did, however, locate a valuable comparative sample of fish bones and shell, together either as rim or body sherds. Only five base sherds were retrieved, all were simple and there were with ceramics. two handle sherds, both from simple strap handles. What is now required is a larger-scale area excavation of one of the big north westem coastal sites. The main analysis was therefore of fabric type based on frequency, size and type of inclusion. This The least disturbed site is that at Belmont (Site 7). This site is both extensive (at least 180 m, x 130 was conducted in the laboratories of the Lavity Stoutt Community College simultaneously with the m.) and has time depth, with shovel testing in 1985 suggesting occupation from c.600-1500 A.D. excavation. Once washed and marked, the material was examined by eye and under low magnifi- (Righter 1990). Recent compulsory purchase by the Government of the B.V.I, will result in some dis- cation (x10). turbance of the site. It is therefore proposed that this site should be excavated over two seasons All inclusions were igneous and consistent with the geology of the island (Helsley 1960). Thin-sec- during 1996 and 1997. tioning and further examination might hopefully lead to locating the source of these materials. There was no fabric containing inclusions of coral, shell or limestone although some sherds had BIBLIOGRAPHY accumulated a post-depositional sub-layer of calcium carbonate. Absent also was any evidence of grog, fragments of previously-flred ceramic sometimes used as a Drewett, P. L. 1991 Prehistoric Barbados. Archetype Publications Ltd., Denbigh, Wales. filler. Neither was there any indication of organic inclusions, also sometimes used to ‘temper’ the clay body by distributing heat quickly and evenly throughout, thereby lessening Drewett, P. L. 1992 The Cayman Islands: Their Potential in Prehistoric Research. Report submitted the thermal shock incurred in bonflre flring. to the Cayman Islands National Museum. The major fabric types were: a) A fine matrix with occasional sub-angular fine inclusions of quartz and feldspar Helsley, C. E. 1960 Geology of British Virgin Islands. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Princeton b) A medium-coarse matrix with moderate, unsorted, angular to sub-angular inclusions of variable University, Department of Geology, U.S.A. size (0.5 mm, to 3 mm.) and predominantly Basic engin. c) A medium matrix with abundant inclusions of Acid origin, sub-angular to subrounded, of up to Martin-Kaye, P. H. A. 1959. Reports on the Geology of the Leeward and British Virgin Islands. Voice 4 mm. Publishing Co. Ltd., St. Lucia. Also present was a very hard fabric with mixed coarse inclusions. This was possibly an Historic fabric. Orion, C., Tyers, P. and Vince, A. 1993 Pottery in Archaeology. Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology. whilst most of the inclusions were present as component rock minerais/crystals, a proportion of Cambridge University Press. clasts retained their rock characteristics. Micro-granite and andesite were frequently readily identi- fiable. On some sherds there were traces of red slip. This, however, could not be reliably quantified Righter, E. 1990 Report on a Systemafic Archaeological Testing Program at the Belmont Grave as it was obvious that if it were present only as traces on some sherds, burial conditions were such Prehistoric Site, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Report submitted to the Virgin Islands Historical that it could bave eroded completely from others. Society. In the absence of any stylistically diagnosable and therefore dateable features, the presence of this red slip does at least open up the possibility that the pottery could be earlier than final Ostionoid. Two adornos were recovered from earlier road-making spoil to the south of the excavation. They appear to be from the late Ostionoid period but obviously cannot be directly related to any of the excavation contexts. Figure 1: A small but well-preserved sample of bones was recovered. Identifications by Prehistoric sites on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Contours in metres. Professor Elizabeth Wing, University of Florida, indicate the presence of fish, turtle, crabs, rodents and birds. the fish assemblage is dominated by reef species including parrotfishes, grouper and sur- Figure 2: geonfishes, but pelagic fish like tuna, needlefish and barracuda are also present. Birds are repre- Paraquita Bay, Tortola, Site 2 (cross-hatched) sample excavation, 1993. Site 29 was file location of sented by a femur, probably from a pigeon. Introduced species identified by Elizabeth Wing inclu- polished stone tools (Fig. 4). ded the Isolobodan, a large rodent probably introduced from puerto Rico and the slider turtle, also Contours in metres. a Puerto Rican import. Carbonized material was also recovered from various contexts. Superficial examination suggests that the sample consists mainly of carbonized woods, perhaps the remains of Figure 3. cooking fires. Paraquita Bay, Tortola. Location of test pits (1-22) excavated in 1993. A small quantity of Historic Material was recovered from the upper contexts in several trenches. Contours in metres. Significant material indicating agricultural use of the valley in the Historic Period included 18th century wine bottle fragments, clay pipe stems and tin-glazed earthenware (English ‘Delft’). Figure 4. Ceramics from Paraquita Bay (1-3) and Cane Garden Bay (4-7), Tortola. The field survey showed extensive evidence for the Later Prehistoric settlement of Tortola. Further sites have certainly been destroyed or are buried beneath Historic colluviation or recent develop- ment. Several of the sites no doubt have pre-Ostionoid occupation, but this can be determined only by test pitting. 210 211 A sample excavation of the site at Paraquita Bay showed it tu be a small, fate, short-lived site. the Figure 2: Figure 1: Paraquita Bay, Tortola, Site 2 (cross-hatched) sample excavation, 1993. Site 29 was file location of Prehistoric sites on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Contours in metres. polished stone tools (Fig. 4). Contours in metres.

212 213 Figure 3. Paraquita Bay, Tortola. Location of test pits (1-22) excavated in 1993. Contours in metres. Figure 4. Ceramics from Paraquita Bay (1-3) and Cane Garden Bay (4-7), Tortola.

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