Investigations of the St. George’s Caye Submerged Cultural Landscape, 2020 - 2023

The waters off St. George’s Caye contain a rich repository of historic and archaeological material, comprising sites and artifacts tied to commerce, trade, fishing, and warfare – including the Battle of St. George’s Caye, 1798. In January 2020 and January 2023, the University of Rhode Island, in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology, the St. George’s Caye Village Council, and ECOMAR, conducted non-intrusive survey, site identification, and documentation of maritime archaeological heritage sites in these waters. The work also included marine cultural resource GIS development. The survey work comprised the collection of highly controlled magnetometer data as well as visual survey using “tow boards.” Three shipwrecks, two previously known and one new vessel which included a cannon, were recorded. In addition, isolated finds including historic anchors were identified. One shipwreck, located near St. George’s Caye, was mapped using aluminum drawing grids, trilateration, measured drawings, and photogrammetry. Afterwards, efforts were made to stabilize the site which had been impacted by natural degradation and human visitation. All site and survey data were included in a nascent submerged cultural resource GIS of the St. George’s Caye maritime cultural landscape.