The effectiveness of archaeological predictive maps: Management and protection of sites on St Eustatius and Saba, Caribbean Netherlands
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 13 March 2019
Issue publication date: 23 April 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Archaeological predictive maps can be valuable tools for planning officers, spatial developers and archaeologists. In 2012, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science asked the St Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research (SECAR) to create archaeological predictive maps for St Eustatius and Saba. The maps were supposed to contribute to more effective management and protection of archaeological sites. The maps were published in 2013 and 2015. The purpose of this paper is to address the question whether the subsequent use of these maps has indeed improved site management and protection.
Design/methodology/approach
The evaluation proceeded by identifying the users and applications of the maps through questionnaires and an internet search engine, along with follow-up interviews with heritage professionals on both islands.
Findings
The use of the predictive maps has not yet contributed to improved management and protection of archaeological sites on St Eustatius and Saba. Suggestions have been made to ameliorate this situation and to ensure the preservation of archaeological heritage for future generations.
Originality/value
The creation of archaeological predictive maps can be an important step towards improving management and protection of archaeological heritage, education and heritage awareness. This is important for St Eustatius and Saba, islands that are characterised by vulnerable archaeological heritage, rapid spatial development and a lack of efficient protection measures. This paper points to the importance of follow-up efforts to ensure effective site management and protection.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper is partially based on papers presented during the XXVIth International Congress for Caribbean Archaeology in St Martin in 2015 (De Waal, Lesparre, Stelten, Hoogland and Espersen, 2017) and the 2017 EAA conference in Maastricht (De Waal, Lesparre, Espersen and Stelten, 2017). The authors are very grateful to Siem Dijkshoorn (Director Economy and Infrastructure on St Eustatius), Ruud Stelten and Reese Cook (both former directors of the St Eustatius Center for Archaeological Research) who were willing to participate in the users survey of the archaeological predictive maps of St Eustatius and Saba.
Citation
de Waal, M., Lesparre, J., Espersen, R. and Stelten, R. (2019), "The effectiveness of archaeological predictive maps: Management and protection of sites on St Eustatius and Saba, Caribbean Netherlands", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 149-164. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-02-2018-0014
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited