SOCIETY FOR POST-MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY 2005 CONFERENCE
NEVIS, THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
REGISTRATION AND FINAL CALL FOR PAPERS
From 27th June to 1st July 2005 the Society for Post-Medieval Archaeology's Annual Conference will be held on the island of Nevis in the Eastern Caribbean - and will focus on the historical archaeology of the colonial or shared landscapes of the Caribbean. This is the first time that the Society's Annual Conference has been held outside the British Isles. The conference will provide a unique opportunity to combine a visit to the Eastern Caribbean with learning about recent archaeological research in the region. The conference programme will include two days of field visits to sites on Nevis and the nearby island of St Kitts (St Christopher), and the option of participating in a field visit to the island of St Eustatius (Statia). The timing of the conference has been chosen so as to enable delegates to attend also the meeting of the International Association of Caribbean Archaeologists, which will be held in July 2005 in Trinidad. The conference is being held in association with the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society and the St Christopher Heritage Society. The conference also marks the completion of a three-year project funded by the British Academy looking at the archaeology of the colonial landscape of Nevis and St Kitts.
The conference venue will be the Mount Nevis Hotel, superbly situated on the slopes of Mount Nevis, close to the Vance Amory Nevis International Airport and with views to St Kitts and St Eustatius to the north. Further accommodation details are given below.
Final call for papers and other contributions
Papers and other contributions will be welcomed on the conference theme in its widest context: the archaeology of the colonial or shared landscapes of the Greater Caribbean from the late fifteenth century onwards, embracing the south-eastern coast of North America and extending to Bermuda. Specific themes will include the historical archaeology of agricultural, urban and defended landscapes, pre- and post-emancipation landscapes of plantation slavery and of industrial production, theory and method in historical landscape, colonial and post-colonial archaeology, and material culture and landscape, including the vernacular and other architecture of the peoples of the historic Caribbean. To date we have received over twenty offers of papers covering a diversity of themes, ranging from an examination of Colonial Caribbean fuel sources to the capabilities and limits of Georgianization in the Greater Caribbean, from the cartography of the 17th century colonial landscape to the modern day survey and understanding of that same landscape. Contributors may suggest other themes. The full programme will be posted once the call for papers is complete. Options for presentation are as follows:
Major Paper: Theoretical, methodological or data-synthesising presentations that cover broad regional or topical subjects based upon completed research (20 minutes).
Research Report: Brief presentations focussing on research in progress or findings of small-scale studies (10 minutes).
Posters / Media Displays: Freestanding, mounted exhibits with texts and graphics - ideally copies of these will be made available for three months following the conference for display in the museums of Nevis, St Eustatius and St Kitts.
The conference organisers will group major papers and research reports into general sessions organised by theme and topic, and will assign a chair to each session. A data projector will be available for use.
Abstract Submission
Contributors of proposed papers must submit a title and abstract not to exceed 150 words, to be submitted to the Conference Chair, Professor Roger Leech, address below, by 28th February 2005.
Publication
The proceedings of the conference will be published in the refereed Society for Post Medieval Archaeology Conference Series, following upon recent volumes on the Archaeology of Reformation, the Archaeology of Industrialisation and others.
Getting there
Getting there at an economical rate from Britain and Europe requires some smart work on the internet. The cheapest way is via Excel Airways, whose flights are sold principally through Golden Caribbean (phone 01342 316900) but also through Indigo and other travel companies - names obtainable from Golden Caribbean. You will need to watch the web site for Excel Airways to see when flights for your desired dates are available - these flights are taken up fairly quickly. The Excel Airways route this year was direct to St Kitts from Gatwick for between £300-400 return, coming back via Tobago (which is just a refuelling and furthest point stop). St Kitts to Nevis is an easy trip on the local ferry, using taxis at either end, or you could book a local flight direct to Nevis where the airport is very close to the Mount Nevis Hotel. For slightly more expenditure you could come by Air France, via a British airport and then Paris to St Martin (SXM) with a final flight down to Nevis (NEV). Air France offers open jaw flights at no extra cost so that there is the option of returning via Antigua (ANU) and Guadeloupe (PTP) and seeing something of one of the French islands. Further options are British Airways or Virgin, London to Antigua, and then a short flight on to Nevis.
Getting there from the United States requires a similar appraisal of options, but should be much helped by the fact that this is the low season for American visitors. Travel from North America to Nevis (NEV) can be direct with one change at San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), or via Antigua (ANU) or St Kitts (SKB) (the latter with inexpensive ferry to Nevis) or St Martin (SXM). Spirit Airlines has pretty good offers for direct flights from NYC, Orlando, and Miami to Puerto Rico.
Please address any preliminary enquiries on likely costs and logistics to Bruce Williams, Bristol and Region Archaeological Services, as below.
Accommodation (all prices quoted are in US$)
Accommodation is available at a range of prices. The Mount Nevis Hotel, the conference hotel, is offering a conference discount of 30% on its published prices. These rates are as follows, all in $US per day/night.:
Superior Suite $240.00 less 30% = $168.00 (double occupancy = $84 each)
Junior Suite $190.00 less 30% = $133.00 (double occupancy = $66.50 each)
Deluxe Room $190.00 less 30% = $133.00 (double occupancy = $66.50 each)
The rooms are large, easily shared (between up to four people by arrangement) and very well fitted out. Most have wonderful views across towards St Kitts and the sound between the two islands (for further details see www.mountnevishotel.com <http://www.mountnevishotel.com>). When booking quote the above rates as "SPMA Nevis Conference 2005".
A conference discount is also being offered by the world famous Four Seasons Hotel, some 4 miles to the south of the Mount Nevis Hotel. The Four Seasons Hotel is offering a maximum number of 25 rooms at US $250 plus 8% Tax and 10% Service and $10 Govt. Environmental Levy per
night. These are subject to availability and are available on a 'first come, first served basis". When booking quote the above rates as "SPMA Nevis Conference 2005".
For lower cost accommodation see <http://www.nevisisland.com/accommguesthouses.htm>
Possibilities include the cottages at Fort Ashby, within a 17th century fort and adjacent to the vanished early town of Jamestown, only 3 miles from the Mount Nevis Hotel. Five small cottages offer self-catering with basic kitchen areas and bedrooms, located directly on the beach. Prices last year were 90 US$ per day for a 3 bedroom cottage taking 4 persons, 50 US$ per day for cottages each with one double bed. Phone: (+001 from UK) 869-469-3464. Fax: (+001 from UK) 869-469-0400. E-mail to Ms Tessa Howell: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Another medium price hotel, on the beach and near Fort Ashby, is the Inn at Cades Bay, web site <http://www.cadesbayinn.com>, advertises discounted regular room rate of 135 US$ per night, possible further discounts via internet providers.
Please note that all visitors to St. Kitts/Nevis will have to pay a departure tax of about $US20 on leaving the Federation.
Please address any preliminary enquiries on likely costs and logistics to Bruce Williams, Bristol and Region Archaeological Services, as below.
The Conference Tours
Nevis
The all-day Nevis tour will provide an overview of the historical archaeology of Nevis, and will include a circuit of the complete round island road. Urban, port and defence sites will include Charlestown, the island capital (with the Nevis Historical Society's two museums and Fort Charles), Jamestown and Fort Ashby, and Port St George. We will visit a variety of plantation sites including Pinney's Yard, Nesbit, New River, Coconut Walk, Golden Rock, Hermitage (with its surviving 17th century open hall house) and Montpelier. A visit to the Mountain Plantation above Herbert Heights will provide an unforgettable excursion into the higher forest and a visit to a well preserved 17th century plantation site on the slopes of Nevis Peak. We will also be including visits to some of the island churches.
St Kitts
We will leave for St Kitts on the morning ferry - a short but wonderful sea journey between the two islands. The all-day tour of St Kitts will provide an overview of the island's historical archaeology and will include a circuit of the complete round island road. Urban, defence and port sites will include Basseterre, the island capital (with the St Christopher Heritage Society in the old Treasury Building), the World Heritage Site fortress of Brimstone Hill and Dieppe Bay (the Golden Lemon Hotel incorporating a French planter/merchant's house and warehouse). We will visit a variety of plantation sites including Fairview (French, not English), Romney, Wingfield, Eldridge (with its Palladian sugar works), Hermitage, the Spring (these last two for slave village sites), Ottleys and Whites. At the south end of the island we will visit the salt pans, in use from the 17th to the 20th centuries. We will also be including visits to some of the island churches.
St Eustatius
The Friday visit to St Eustatius will be by sea from Nevis, mostly in the lee of Nevis and then St Kitts, with many breathtaking views of the islands and perhaps dolphins and flying fish. The visit to St Eustatius is being organised by the St. Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research (web site <http://www.secar.org>) and promises to be one of the highlights of the conference. To book a space on this visit go direct to the SECAR web site. Any remaining spaces may be available for booking at the commencement of the conference.
The Organisers:
Professor Roger H Leech, School of Humanities (Archaeology), University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Highfield, SOUTHAMPTON, SO17 1BF, UNITED KINGDOM, email: <[log in to unmask]>
Bruce Williams, Bristol and Region Archaeological Services, St Nicholas Church, St Nicholas Street, BRISTOL, BS1 1UE, UNITED KINGDOM, email: <[log in to unmask]>
For the Nevis Heritage Project see: <http://www.arch.soton.ac.uk/Research/Nevis/Nevis.html>
13th December 2005
REGISTRATION FORM SOCIETY FOR POST-MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGY 2005 CONFERENCE
THE COLONIAL LANDSCAPE OF THE CARIBBEAN
NEVIS, THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
27 JUNE TO 1 JULY 2005
INSTRUCTIONSPlease complete a separate form for each person registering. This form may be photocopied or printed out from our website <http://www.spma.org.uk> or from the website of the St. Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research <http://www.secar.org>
Mail form(s) together with a cheque (which may be in US$ or in £ sterling) made out to
"SPMA Nevis Conference 2005" to:
SPMA Nevis Conference 2005
Bristol and Region Archaeological Services
St Nicholas's Church
St Nicholas Street
BRISTOL BS1 1UE
UNITED KINGDOM
A Registration confirmation/receipt will be sent out by email or postal service. Registration is confirmed when payment is received. The sponsors reserve the right to close registration when capacity is reached.
REGISTRATION INFORMATIONGive your name, title, and institutional affiliation as you would like them to appear on your name badge and in the list of delegates.
Name _____________________________________________________________Title ______________________________________________________________Institution (if applicable) ______________________________________________
Address Line 1 ______________________________________________________
Address Line 2 ______________________________________________________
Town/City ___________________ State _________________________________
Zip/Postal Code ______________ Country________________________________
Day Phone __________________ Evening Phone __________________________Email _____________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION FEES
Note that payment may be made in US$ or £ Sterling - all dollar prices quoted are in US $
SPMA Member - US $115 or £60 $___ £___
Non-member (includes SPMA membership) US $170 or £87 $___ £___
Young person SPMA member US $35 or £18 $___ £___
Young person, non-member
(includes SPMA membership) US $65 or £33 $___ £___
OTHER FEES
Space on the tours is limited and will be assigned on a first paid basis. Lunch and dinner are included with the tours. For the Tuesday/Thursday tours please indicate your first and second choice on the line to the left of cost.
Conference Field Tours
Tuesday 28th June Choice/Rank
Tour 1 - Nevis $60 or £34 ___ $___ £___
Tour 2 - St Kitts $80 or £45 ___ $___ £___
Thursday 30th June
Tour 1 - Nevis $60 or £34 ___ $___ £___
Tour 2 - St Kitts $80 or £45 ___ $___ £___
Friday 1st July
Tour 1 - St Eustatius - see the website
of the St. Eustatius Center for
Archaeological Research <http://www.secar.org>
TOTAL ENCLOSED: $___ £___
Please ensure that the cheque (which may be in US$ or in £ sterling)
is made payable to "SPMA Nevis Conference 2005"
|
