Title: The fortifications of Nevis, West Indies, from the 17th century to the present day : protected interests? /
Authors: Machling, Tessa C. S.
Publisher: Archaeopress,
Year: 2012
Subjects: Fortification Saint Kitts and Nevis Nevis.; Excavations (Archaeology) Saint Kitts and Nevis Nevis.; Antiquities; Excavations (Archaeology); Fortification; Nevis Antiquities.; Saint Kitts and Nevis Nevis
Abstract: "This study examines the development and decline of the 17th and 18th century English/British fortifications of Nevis, West Indies. The forts were first built in the early 17th century and continued to be developed and added to, reaching their maximum strength in the later 17th/early 18th centuries. Ten of the forts have been located in the field, with at least four others identified as having been destroyed by development. Each fort has been catalogued, with plans, photographs and historical information given. In addition, the development of the forts has been placed within the framework of the progression of fortification strategy in Europe, the Caribbean, and in the wider colonial world. This study details the methodologies used to examine structures of this type, with special reference paid to the disciplines of historical and military archaeology. This research, in contrast to many other military studies, has also examined the lives of those associated with all aspects of colonial military life on Nevis, including soldiers, planters, slaves, servants, women and children. The aim of this analysis has been to place the forts within a broader socio-historical and archaeological narrative, referencing all aspects of Nevisian colonial society."-- Publisher's website.
Contents: Introduction and methodology. Introduction -- Nevisian fort research -- Methodology -- Archaeology and history: objective versus subjective -- Personal perspectives on Nevisian and military history/ archaeology -- The history and historiography of Nevis and the 'English' Caribbean: the prehistoric to the present day. Location and environment -- Caribbean history -- Caribbean historiography -- Archaeology and the historic period in North America and Caribbean. Historical and most-medieval archaeology -- Military and battlefield archaeology -- Archaeologists abroad -- Colonial legacies -- Historical archaeology in North America and the Caribbean -- Military history and archaeology in the Caribbean -- Archaeology on Nevis -- The fortifications of Europe and its colonies. The history of fortification -- Colonial fortification -- Discussion -- The forts and batteries of Nevis: thematic analysis.Introduction -- Themes of analysis -- Soldiers, planter, slaves and civilians: peopling the forts of Nevis. Introduction -- Colonial society -- The people -- Summary --The Nevis fortifications in the 21st century. Introduction -- Assessment of the historical significance of the Nevis fortifications -- Research potential of the Nevis fortifications -- Threats to the forts -- Management, preservation, and tourism -- Local and non-local involvement -- Summary and concluding remarks.