The human bones unearthed under the Red House date back to between 430 AD and 1390 AD, according to tests done in the US. In an update on the March discovery—first reported by the T&T Guardian—the Parliament also said last Friday that a full-time archaeological team has been assigned to the dig site for six months to look for further material.
The Cabinet has also established a Red House Cultural Heritage Team to manage all aspects of the historical find and to ensure conformity with best practices and international standards. The committee is chaired by Speaker Wade Mark and includes Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith and representatives of the National Trust.
The remains were unearthed on March 26, during initial excavation work undertaken as part of the restoration of the Red House. A number of skeletal remains, cultural and historical artifacts were found. Subsequently, a composite of material comprising human bones, fragments of animal bones, shells, pottery and other artifacts was also discovered and extracted from the soil in other areas at the Red House.
The Parliament consequently assembled an archaeological excavation team, headed by late archaeologist Peter Harris, along with other qualified officials from the University of the West Indies, to oversee the removal of all human skeletal remains and artifacts discovered at the test pits. The Parliament on Friday paid special tribute to Harris, who died on May 18, saying, “His expertise and knowledge provided the requisite leadership needed during the early stages of the excavation process.”
Parliament said the samples of the excavated remains were sent abroad for DNA testing and radiocarbon dating to determine the ethnicity, gender and likely age of the bones. Tests were done at Binghamton University, New York and Beta Analytic Inc. Lab, Miami.
Parliament also said, “As the discovery of these human remains and other artifacts could signal the existence of other historical and cultural material at the Red House, an archaeological research and rescue excavation team has been assigned for a six-month period on a full-time basis, from Monday 1st July. “During this period, the Red House Restoration Project will focus on the completion of essential surveys and designs ahead of construction works scheduled to commence in February 2014.”
Parliament said only minor necessary works would be undertaken at the Red House site during this period, under the supervision of the project’s consultant historical architect. The archaeological team is headed by archaeologist Dr Basil Reid and comprises a site manager, two assistant site managers and 25 labourers. Specialists in Amerindian and European pottery, zooanthropology, human anatomy and soil testing are also on the team.
Parliament is also maintaining consultation with stakeholder groups, in particular the first peoples community, to ensure the remains are treated with the care and respect required.