Dr. Virginia Flores Sasso visited Leiden University on occasion of Pauline Kulstad's defense and gave a talk about La Isabela and her efforts of getting this important historical site on the UNESCO World Heritage list. RMA student Anika Hellemons met with Dr. Flores to talk about her work.

This book is edited by Christine D. Beaule and John G. Douglas. It is expected for publication in early 2020!

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.