The Bermuda National Trust has praised the “approach taken for The Loren’s proposed major development at Elbow Beach” saying “the proactive work by The Loren provides a positive example of responsible archaeological management.”
The September edition of Bermuda National Trust newsletter said, “Heritage matters! And throughout Bermuda so much of our own may still be buried. It is vital, therefore, that before development begins at archaeologically sensitive sites, appropriate assessments are undertaken to identify and preserve links to our past.
“We were therefore pleased with the approach taken for The Loren’s proposed major development at Elbow Beach, where there was potential for historic fortifications and other archaeological features or deposits to survive. The developer commissioned professional archaeological expertise, including a report on Elbow Bay Fort by Dr Edward Harris and an Archaeological Management Plan to assess what was present and mitigate potential impacts.
Image/caption from the BNT newsletter: Three trenches were excavated within the proposed hotel foundation area to investigate the potential survival of historic Elbow Bay Fort. No archaeological remains were found. Further archaeological monitoring is planned when construction begins in 2027
“BNT’s Archaeology Research Committee reviewed this work and was satisfied that sufficient measures had been taken to address archaeological concerns. We therefore did not submit an objection to the project on archaeological grounds. The proactive work by The Loren provides a positive example of responsible archaeological management: investigate potential heritage impacts early, bring in appropriate expertise and allow evidence to inform what happens next.
“We would like to see this approach followed elsewhere. BNT has repeatedly called for an archaeological assessment as part of the planned major redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton, where there is also potential for significant archaeology. These requests have not yet resulted in the investigation we believe is warranted.
“Archaeology is a finite and non-renewable resource. Once a site is destroyed without investigation, the evidence it contains—and the opportunity to learn from it—is lost. Early assessment, by contrast, benefits everyone: potential concerns can be investigated, decisions can be based on evidence rather than speculation, and development can proceed with greater confidence.
“We hope The Loren’s example helps set a higher standard for major development in Bermuda and that proactive archaeological assessment increasingly becomes normal practice wherever significant archaeology potential has been identified.”
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Category: All, Environment, History