Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Archaeologists Unearth British Redoubt in Historic St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida, a city renowned for its ancient architecture and imposing Castillo de San Marcos fort, serves as a lasting testament to Spain’s deep-rooted colonial history in the region, predating the United States by centuries. However, a lesser-known chapter reveals two decades in the 1700s when Great Britain governed the area. Now, archaeological experts have unearthed tangible evidence of this period, uncovering a long-sought-after British military outpost.
Discovery of 1781 British Fortification
City archaeologists made a significant find last autumn, identifying a dry moat belonging to a British redoubt, a type of fortified position. This military structure dates back to 1781. Excavations at the site, located in St. Augustine’s Lincolnville district, concluded last month. The area is being prepared for the construction of a new private residence when the redoubt remains were discovered.
Unearthing a Forgotten Era
“St. Augustine experienced a 20-year British occupation,” stated city archaeologist Andrea White. “During this time, they established seven redoubts, yet none had ever been archaeologically verified. While historical maps provide approximate locations, concrete, archaeological proof remained elusive until this recent excavation.”
Spanish Defenses Preceded British Occupation
The Spanish military originally constructed the Castillo de San Marcos in the late 17th century. This fortress endures on the western edge of Matanzas Bay in Florida, currently designated as a national monument rather than an active military base.
British Concerns and Fort Construction
Upon seizing control of Florida in 1763, the British inherited substantial Spanish fortifications in St. Augustine. However, British command expressed apprehension about potential incursions from a nearby river. This concern prompted the order to erect additional defensive outposts along the city’s western periphery.
Reclaiming a Piece of Lost History
White noted that the relatively brief British tenure in St. Augustine, which concluded with the end of the American Revolution in 1783, has largely faded from public memory. The redoubt discovery serves to recover a small but significant component of this overlooked history.
Unique British-Built Defenses
“The British redoubts hold particular significance as the sole defenses constructed by the British themselves in St. Augustine,” White explained. “All other extant fortifications in St. Augustine and the surrounding vicinity were originally erected by the Spanish and subsequently repurposed by the British during their occupation.”
St. Augustine’s Preservation Ordinance
The unearthing of the structure was made possible by St. Augustine’s distinctive archaeological preservation ordinance, enacted in 1986, according to White. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine represents the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the U.S. with prior European origins. To meticulously record and safeguard its rich heritage, St. Augustine maintains its own archaeology program as part of the city’s planning and permits department.
Documenting History Before Development
“Our program allows us to investigate and document historical elements present before any construction commences,” White clarified. “Our aim is not to halt development, but to secure a window to document any potential historical finds, expand our understanding of local history, and then allow projects to proceed.”
Layers of History at the Site
White was aware of the extensive historical background of the land undergoing development. It was the site of a Native American mission in the early 18th century, followed by an agricultural plantation, and later, after the Civil War, the development of the Lincolnville neighborhood.
Evidence of a Substantial Moat
“We anticipated the potential presence of multiple centuries of history on the property, but the actual discovery of physical evidence is truly exciting,” White stated. “We have found evidence of a large moat, approximately 15 feet in width, that would have formed a part of the redoubt’s outer wall.”
Plant Remains Offer Clues
Researchers recovered few artifacts from the site and are still determining the precise dimensions and layout of the redoubt. However, they did unearth thousands of seed varieties. White mentioned collaboration with a paleoethnobotanist, specializing in the study of human-plant interactions throughout history, to analyze plant remains. This study aims to uncover details about the redoubt’s construction and utilization. Possible uses of plants like Spanish bayonet or prickly pear cacti might have included erosion control or impeding enemy advances.
Insights from Plant Analysis
“We are optimistic that the plant remains we have collected will provide valuable information,” White concluded.
Contractor Appreciates City’s Approach
Jason Heidgerken, the contractor overseeing work on the property where the redoubt moat was located, acknowledged that the city’s archaeological program can introduce delays. Nevertheless, he praised White and her team for effective communication, enabling him to adjust project schedules accordingly.
History Enhances St. Augustine’s Appeal
“Having been in St. Augustine since 1980, the city’s history is part of its allure,” Heidgerken remarked. “Choosing to reside and conduct business here necessitates acknowledging and accommodating this aspect, including exhibiting patience when historical discoveries are made.”
Decades of Archaeological Work
Over the past forty years, St. Augustine’s archaeology program has successfully completed more than 1,200 projects. Researchers have gathered significant data not only from the Spanish colonial era but also from Native American settlements and villages stretching back 4,000 years.
A History Enthusiast’s Perspective
“I genuinely admire the city’s approach. As a history enthusiast myself,” Heidgerken stated, “I find it quite fascinating.”