Prof. Dr. Kathleen Deagan was part of the committee for Pauline Kulstad’s PhD defence. On that occasion, NEXUS1492 had the pleasure of welcoming her to the Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University. Despite a busy schedule, she agreed to meet RMA student Kwinten van Dessel, who interviewed about her long and successful academic career in Caribbean and Floridian archaeology.

On the occasion of the PhD defence of Pauline Kulstad, dr. Esteban Prieto visited Leiden. Dr. Prieto is an architect specialised predominantly in the conservation and restauration of heritage in the Caribbean. His works include a wide range of topics, such as vernacular rural architecture in the Dominican Republic and colonial fortifications, bridges and sugar plantations. Apart from his research he also was the general director of the cultural heritage agency in the Dominican Republic for 10 years, member of the commission of sub-aquatic archaeology in the Dominican Republic and vice president of ICOMOS for 6 years. His visit was a great opportunity to carry out an interview about his current research, and the protection and valorisation of heritage in the Dominican Republic.

On Saturday October 19th, the documentary El Retumbar del Caribe Indígena. Las Raíces de América premiered at the Caribbean Cinemas Fine Arts in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The documentary was filmed and produced by Pablo Lozano in close collaboration with NEXUS1492.

During the school holidays, the National Archaeological Museum Aruba hosted a holiday program for children focused on Caribbean Ties.

On the evening of the 7th of October, Prof. dr. Corinne Hofman and Dr. Joseph Sony Jean will attend the Dutch annual Avond van de Wetenschap & Maatschappij (Night of Science & Society).

On Friday the 20th of September, Kaz van Dijk and Finn van der Leden graduated from the Master's at the Academy Building, Leiden University. After the ceremony, Kaz and Finn both signed their name in Leiden University's famous 'zweetkamertje'.

This year, Irvince Auguiste (former Chief of the Kalinago Territory in Dominica) and Sardo Sutherland (Kalinago from St. Vincent) joined the 28th Congress of the International Association of Caribbean Archaeology in Barbados, to talk about how local communities should be involved in archaeological research in the Caribbean islands from the outset.

On behalf of Sardo Sutherland and himself, Irvince Auguiste wrote about his participation at the IACA conference. Read about his experiences below.

Last week Prof. dr. Corinne Hofman, Dr. Menno Hoogland, and Dr. Ryan Espersen continued their research on Saba with a few surveys around the island.

Leiden University has conducted archaeological field research on Saba since 1987. These projects have been led by Prof. dr. Corinne Hofman, Dr. Menno Hoogland, and Dr. Ryan Espersen. Currently, the Saba Heritage Center temporarily showcases a collection of finds from these projects as part of the display of the island's long heritage.

The Caribbean Ties exhibition hosted on Dominica has moved to a new location. Previously, the exhibition was displayed at the Kalinago Barana Aute in the Kalingo Territory. Now, visitors can see the exhibition at Fort Shirley. Below are some photos of the move!