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Unearthing History: British Fortifications Found in St. Augustine

In a city renowned for its rich history, St. Augustine, Florida, distinctive protocols mandate archaeological surveys before any construction projects begin in its historic districts. This regulation primarily aims to preserve and document historic remnants, especially crucial in a region undergoing significant population growth and development.

Recently, city archaeologists were engaged to investigate the proposed location of a single-family residence in Lincolnville, a historically significant neighborhood once home to a Native American settlement and a prominent African American community.

During preliminary investigations, archaeologists conducted a series of small test excavations across the vacant lot, which quickly revealed unusual soil patterns. City archaeologist Andrea White commented on the peculiarities of the earth, describing it as mottled and varied in color, suggesting prior disturbances.

Utilizing ground-penetrating radar and a backhoe from the city’s Department of Public Works, the team uncovered an extensive 15-foot-wide ditch that stretched across the property line. This marked the unveiling of the first archaeological evidence relating to British fortifications erected during Britain’s intermittent control over Florida in the mid-18th century.

The British took possession of St. Augustine in 1763 following the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years’ War and transitioned power from Spanish to British rule. Established by Spanish colonizers led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1565, St. Augustine served as the capital of British East Florida until the Spanish reclaimed it after the American Revolution in 1783.

During the British occupation, they inherited several Spanish forts and constructed a series of redoubts—earthen mounds designed for defensive purposes. As noted by White, “What’s intriguing about these British redoubts is that they represent the only fortifications built by the British during their tenure.”

This particular redoubt, identified as being built in 1781, formed part of a defensive perimeter intended to safeguard St. Augustine from assaults from the west, including threats from the San Sebastian River. In describing its function, White indicated that it acted as a “gun platform or an area intended for combat operations.”

However, unlike a traditional fort or garrison, this redoubt did not accommodate soldiers on a permanent basis, leading to a lack of substantial artifacts typically associated with such sites. White noted that findings were limited, with only some seeds—tobacco, okra, and muscadine—recovered from the ditch, potentially indicating agricultural practices or the use of vegetation to stabilize the earthworks.

As the British departed St. Augustine two years following the redoubt’s establishment, they likely dismantled the earthworks or allowed the defenses to erode naturally over time. Despite the significance of these fortifications in St. Augustine’s historical narrative, pinpointing their precise locations has posed challenges for archaeologists due to variations in historical cartography.

White explained that discrepancies in the dimensions and representations of redoubts across different historical maps have complicated efforts to locate them accurately. Searching for the remnants of these structures in modern St. Augustine’s densely developed landscape has proven to be a considerable challenge.

Fortunately, this recent discovery may assist archaeologists in mapping out the other defensive installations used by the British. With optimism, the archaeologists view this redoubt as a potential key reference point for identifying the remaining sites within the broader historical defense network.

In the words of city archaeologist Katherine Sims, this find underscores the ongoing potential for discovery in St. Augustine, stating, “Even after three decades of archaeological exploration, the ground can still yield surprises; you never truly know until you investigate further.”

Source
www.smithsonianmag.com