Led by Dr. Kroum Batchvarov (Anthropology Department / Maritime Studies Program, University of Connecticut) researchers are now in the water off the shores of the island of Tobago in the southern Caribbean.
The Institute recently received a permit from the government of Tobago to conduct a multi-phased archaeological investigation of the vessels that sank in a battle at what is today called Scarborough Harbour in Tobago. INA, the University of Connecticut and Loyola University Chicago are co-sponsoring a full-scale excavation of the remains that will have, as its primary objective, the detailed recording of the structure of the vessels.
In 1677 a French squadron assisted by a large detachment of troops attempted to wrest control of Tobago from the powerful Dutch West Indies Company. The two sides engaged in battle at what is today called Scarborough Harbour. At the end of the engagement, the Dutch had lost more vessels, but they succeeded in repelling the French landing party, destroying the four largest French vessels (including the flagship) and retaining possession of the island.
For more background information visit the project pages and you will be able to follow the day-to-day activities of as the team as they begin posting photos and stories to their INA blog.
Dr. Kroum Batchvarov with pot discovered by Doug Inglis.
