Archaeological expeditions conducted last century have yielded a great deal of evidence to support the idea of what this city once stood for. Many of the original buildings, now underwater have been found. The ceramics assemblage recovered provides solid evidence for the type of wares that were once imported and exported from this English run Jamaican port city.
The city was originally under Spanish rule after original discovery, but it was eventually captured by the English as part of a mid-seventeenth century invasion. The English are credited with its growth in the economy and population.
However, only a few years after its seizure, the port became a safe haven for pirates. The English reportedly felt a need to protect their port, which was not heavily armored and pirates became welcome - and, it was especially open for those pirates, who were willing to defend the English harbor. The location also proved an ideal area for pirates to attack unsuspecting non-English ships. It was an area that you could say saw very little laws and demonstrated quite a bit of character.
Pottery Recovered in Jamaica
English "Border Ware" Commonly Found on Jamaican Archaeology Sites
Chamber Pot - 17th Century
Circa 1601-1667
Circa 1601-1667
Photo Courtesy: The Museum of London - London, England
Glazed Jamaican Redware Chamber Pot
Likely 18th Century in Origin
Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets
Outside of Port Royal - Jamaica as a whole saw both Spanish and British rule. The cultures from each country provided a heavy influence throughout the island, which can still be found today. This influence was seen with many of the locally produced ceramics beginning as early as the eighteenth century and the years that followed.
19th Century Jamaican Market
19th Century Jamaican Market Scene
Likely a Sunday Market
Locally Made Earthenware Noticeable in the Background
Jamaican's Saw a Heavy Influence in their Ceramics After the Spanish and English Arrived
Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets
Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets
The Bahamas became a British Colony in 1718 and following the American Revolution - thousands of American loyalists, who maintained ownership of African slaves relocated and began their own plantation. However, under the English rule before the American Revolution - the island likely saw many English imports and exports make their way through the area.
The Mid-Atlantic island of Bermuda saw a great population of blacks from Africa and the Spanish Caribbean before 1775. The island was home to thousands of slaves, where many worked in the tobacco fields in the early years, but eventually became active in maritime and commercial enterprises.
The Virgin Islands were governed by a number of English and continental countries that included the French, Spanish and Dutch prior to America's Independence.
Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) was initially ruled by the Spanish, but a French colony grew and like Port Royal - pirates were known in these parts, as well.
Spanish settlements grew on the island of Cuba in the early sixteenth century; however, by 1548, Cuba had appointed its own governor and all natives were declared to have their own liberty. Cuba was by far the largest island through both land mass and population in the Caribbean before 1775.
With the Caribbean and its islands acting as such a hotbed for obvious trade of all sorts before the American Revolution - it would be exciting to explore the role of American made crafts seen within each of these islands. My obvious main interest would be any examples of domestic colonial red earthenware and stoneware that migrated to any of these islands. Is there any indication of an export industry from the American colonies into any of these islands? What were the export industries (if any) from these islands into the colonies? The export of slaves is obvious and will be given very little attention, but instead, what types of ceramics did the slaves use and live with? This idea alone would be a great study.
It would also be surprising to learn if no American made wares have been found on any Caribbean archaeological sites. I believe that it can be assumed that colonial domestic pottery did find its way into islands like Jamaica, Bermuda and the Bahamas. But how about an active or slightly regular export industry from Philadelphia, New York City or Boston?
A New Hampshire antiques dealer, scholar and collector recently shared a story with me about a wonderful example of seventeenth century Westerwald, German stoneware that emerged on Bermuda twenty or so years ago. He told me that immediately jumped on a plane and flew down to purchase it, as a result of its rarity.
Pottery Recovered in Jamaica
Jamaican Red Earthenare Pot Found in Port Royal, Jamaica
Likely 18th Century in Origin
Photo Courtesy: An Archaeology of Black Markets
Jamaican Red Earthenware Sherd
Reportedly 18th Century in Origin
Photo Courtesy: Florida Museum of Natural History - Gainesville, FL
Nevertheless, what was the role of pirates? Is there any possible indication for a role they may have played within early ceramics of any origin? I am sure a few cargo ships containing ceramic loads may have been captured and ended up in unexpected hands. What happened?
Below is a photo of an earthenware jar that was handmade in Bermuda; it was not thrown on the a potter's wheel. These artifacts were recovered by archaeologists in a pre-1742 archaeological context at Faneuil Hall in Boston, which indicates that this type of pottery was shipped to Boston.
18th Century Bermuda Pottery Recovered in Boston
18th Century Earthenware from Bermuda
Recovered at Faneuil Hall in Boston
See Article for More Information
Recovered at Faneuil Hall in Boston
See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Boston Archaeology Department - West Roxbury, MA
Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...
No comments:
Post a Comment