On January 13, 2013 an article headlined Tobago Underwater Heritage Threatened outlined Ms Claire Broadbridge's concerns about the Scarborough Harbour Archaeology Project in Tobago.
The article was misleading and I would like to address some of the issues raised. The Embassy is a stakeholder in this project, so we have been following it closely.
It is important to reiterate that all items recovered in this project will remain the property of T&T–all of the items.The lead researcher in the project, Dr Kroum N Batchvarov, Assistant Professor of Marine Archaeology of the University of Connecticut, has been clear from the beginning that this project will promote academic understanding of the patrimony of T&T.
Researchers from the university received approval from the THA in May 2012 to proceed with rescue excavation, conservation, preservation and assistance with long-term curation work on artifacts found on sunken ships in the Scarborough Harbour.
These researchers will work with a team to locate, map, assess, document and recover threatened material in the harbour, using highly experienced staff and archeologists.
The team plans to create a purpose-built conservation facility in Tobago to ensure that the artifacts can be catalogued and maintained.
Additionally, a global database will be created for future study and information sharing, placing Tobago at the forefront of a scientific field which is under-staffed in the Caribbean.
All artifacts will be treated using the best scientific methods while under the supervision of trained nautical archaeologists, historians and curators with over 70 years experience in the field among them.
The researchers and archaeological team value and understand the importance of including local expertise in any project involving the examination of their history and culture.
They included T&T individuals and organisations throughout their planning and will continue to do so upon the commencement of the rescue excavation process for these artifacts.
The team will include local divers who participated in the initial project and students from a number of different disciplines in both UTT and UWI who will get hands-on knowledge and training in all aspects of the project.
This project aims at increased capacity-building so that Trinbagonians can continue to increase the number of cultural conservation and archaeological projects in both islands.
This project should leave a long-lasting positive imprint on Tobago. The researchers would like to see the excavated pieces become an attraction as part of the museum at Fort George.
As mentioned in Ms Broadbridge's letter, similar projects have seen a large interest from the public and brought many benefits to the areas around the excavation sites. An exhibit could generate tourist revenue and raise awareness of the historical importance and relevance of the site to T&T.
The focus for 2013 will be to remove the most vulnerable cultural material from harm's way. Increased traffic in Scarborough Harbour has placed the site at risk as ships disturb the seabed where the ships are buried.
All conservation activities and artifacts will be kept in Tobago as the aim is to use proper scientific methods to ensure their longevity.
I believe this is an important project to preserve the endangered heritage of Tobago and would be happy to facilitate discussion between Ms Broadbridge and Professor Batchvarov to ensure that all her concerns are addressed.
Thomas Smitham
Charg� D'Affaires–Embassy of the United States of America
