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Skull not attached to complete skeleton
by The Daily Herald
Posted: Aug 27, 2007 20:15 UTC
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PHILIPSBURG - Hopes of finding a complete skeleton with the Mount Pleasant Methodist Cemetery skull were not realised. Removing the dirt above the protruding skull Sunday, Archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser found only bones from the neck to the elbow.
The rest of the skeleton was probably destroyed when a small trench was dug years ago to install a water pipe. The skull was uncovered during the excavations related to the demolition and rebuilding of the Great Bay breakwater bridge Thursday.
This discovery by the crew from contractor Windward Roads Infrastructure led Haviser, the island’s resident archaeologist, to find seven more partly destroyed graves that contained the bones from the upper legs to the toes of seven unknown individuals during a dig.
Uncovered Sunday along with the skull and bones were buttons and bits of lead, possibly a part of the necklace. Wood fragment from the coffin and nails were also found. All the items were collected and will be stored at St. Maarten Archaeological Centre Simarc where the rest of the bones and coffin nail collected Friday are stored. Simarc students also participated in the collection of the bones on Sunday.
Haviser estimates that the headstones or other makers of the eight graves were possibly washed away during hurricanes and flooding early in the last century.
The existence of the eight graves was not known by the Methodist Church when the excavations to reinforce the edge of the Fresh Pond outlet were carried out.
Prior to the excavations, consultations were held by the Department of Environmental Development and Property Management with the Methodist Church to ensure no graves were disturbed. The all clear was given for the project, according to Head of New Works Development and Planning Kurt Ruan.
Excavations at the site will re-commence Tuesday with Haviser present, in case any more graves are uncovered.
The breakwater bridge project, overseen by Public Works Commissioner Theo Heyliger, is not expected to be delayed by the archaeological investigation.
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