INTRODUCTION

At 1:40 in the afternoon, September 30, 1963, Hurricane Flora, with sustained winds of 90 to 100 miles per hour and gusts estimated at up to 120 miles per hour, swept directly over the southern Caribbean island of Tobago . Only two hours of warning were received prior to the advent of the storm, and though hurried preparations were undertaken, the destruction was immense. Some sixty percent of the island's houses were demolished by Flora, while in some instances entire villages were destroyed. Twenty-four lives were lost and 31 people were seriously injured. The economic infrastructure suffered a similar fate; crop and property damage was estimated at around $30,000,000. Tobago's economic base, composed primarily of plantation-grown cash crops, never recovered. Of the 52 profitable estates present in 1958 , only two are in operation today.

Facing continued dire economic conditions, the government of Tobago has embarked on an ambitious plan to develop the island for tourism. In doing so, they enter into direct competition with more established Caribbean destinations. Although the present development plan focuses in part on the "sun and fun" vacationers that typify Caribbean tourism, the government recognizes that the natural environment is an additional selling point due to the relatively undeveloped status of the island. The island's pristine main ridge rain forest, the oldest forest preserve in the New World, is virtually unequaled in the Caribbean.

Also present are the remains of a once-successful sugar industry. These remains, the ruins of eighteenth and nineteenth century sugar factories and estate houses, liberally dot the modern landscape. Gradually deteriorating in the hot sun and seasonal rains of the Caribbean, they offer a glimpse into the glory days when the saying "Rich as a Tobago Planter" was a common utterance in the drawing rooms and ball rooms of England.

In recognition of the potential value of Tobago's archaeological resources, the Tobago Archaeological Program, a joint effort of the Tobago House of Assembly and the University of Florida Institute of Archaeology and Paleoenvironmental Studies, was conceived in 1986, becoming a reality in 1989. The management goal of the program is to evaluate the material remains of Tobago's historic patrimony for potential development as interpretive centers of Tobagonian culture and history. Such centers, in addition to attracting tourism to the island, can also be used as educational tools for current and future Tobagonians.

The remains of more than 70 sugar estates have been "discovered" by Program researchers since its inception in 1989. I put discovered in quotes because, while these archaeological sites are usually known to at least some of the island's inhabitants, they are often covered by dense vegetation and are rarely seen by the casual visitor. Compounding this, without an understanding of the sugar manufacturing process the ruins of Tobago's sugar estates are just that, ruins. Though they are often beautiful, and worth visiting for that reason alone, with an understanding of sugar manufacture they become something else; an educational opportunity and a rich source of knowledge about the past. I invite you to explore a few of them here with me, and hope that you can someday explore them in person. If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean, consider Tobago. When you go, take some time off from the beach, or the diving, or the birding. Rent a jeep or a motorcycle and take off on your own archaeological adventure. You could rent a car, of course, but where's the adventure in that? Two words of caution (and one that is reassuring) if you are one of the lucky few to visit Tobago in person.

These sites belong to the people of Tobago. Please don't remove artifacts or otherwise destroy the sites. Remember, they can provide a unique educational opportunity to Tobagonians of the future, just as they will provide one to you when you visit. They won't be able to do this if they are no longer there.

While the standing walls of these structures may look sturdy, they've been there for 100+ years. BE CAREFUL!

On a more positive note, there are no poisonous snakes on Tobago. (There are scorpions, however, so watch out when you stick your hands into holes.)

Without further ado, I invite you to join me on a quick virtual trip to some of Tobago's most picturesque ruins. Bring a swim suit and towel (in fact, on Tobago don't go anywhere without them).

To Providence

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