Mid-eighteenth century skeleton of pregnant woman found near Saba power plant
Archaeologists have discovered the skeleton of a pregnant woman from the mid-eighteenth century in Saba, in a collaboration between NEXUS1492 and SABARC. The skeleton was discovered in the upper layers of the soil near a construction site for Saba’s new power plant, where archaeologists were excavating in search of an ancient Amerindian layer of artefacts that dates back thousands of years.
A highlight of Saba's vital and diverse history
The ceramic artefacts recovered from the grave show that the burial was from the mid 1700’s. There was no coffin box around the skeleton. It is possible that, as was common for burials of the time, a burial shroud or gown may have been used. Now, only the bones of the skeleton remain: any other materials decomposed long before the 300-year-old skeleton was discovered.
The find highlights Saba’s vital and diverse history. The researchers are excited about further potential finds in the area, as it is one of the oldest archaeological sites on Saba.
The site was investigated by Jay. B. Haviser of SABARC and senior researchers of the Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University, the Netherlands, Dr. Corinne Hofman and Dr. Menno L.P. Hoogland. The NEXUS research team was previously excavating the area around the new power plant, which was known to have the remnants of an old historic cistern in collaboration with Saba Archaeological Centre SABARC archaeologists Haviser and Ryan Espersen.
There is currently no determination on a cause of death for the pregnant woman. However, it is clear that the body was buried respectfully. The remains of the skeleton will be removed for further analysis, but will eventually be re-buried. Some of the artefacts will be displayed at the soon-to-be-opened Saba Heritage Centre.