Bermuda

St. George's, Bermuda

As well as the beginnings of industrialisation, the seventeenth century saw the related emergence of colonialism. In 1607 the first English colony in north America was established at Jamestown; two years later Bermuda was settled and English domination of Atlantic trade ultimately followed in the later 1600s and 1700s.

We are exploring the origins of colonialism on Bermuda in a series of collaborative projects with the Bermuda National Trust. In 2004 we undertook a series of excavations in the World Heritage Site of St. George's (founded in 1612) which have begun to improve our understanding of the early history of this important colony. In 2006 we returned to explore archaeology at Verdmont House, an early 18th century plantation house.

Our work in Bermuda is trying to look beyond conventional narratives of the island's history, and begin to examine the history of slavery. Our work at Verdmont revealed possible evidence of the slave quarters, and we hope to return next year to begin work on a community project. For more up to date developments please visit our Bermuda archaeology blog.