Winthrope's Bay

Archaic Age and Ceramic Age

Winthorpe's Bay has had a long and interesting history. It is the area on Antigua closest to Long Island and its flint resources, and some of the largest reefs and mangrove systems on Antigua. Winthorpe's Bay was heavily utilised by pre-Columbian peoples from the days of initial settlement. Along the entire waterfront, for several kilometers, are scatterings of Archaic Age flakes and lithic debitage, in association with deposits of shellfish, the remains of ancient meals.

An archaeological survey was conducted along the coastline in 1997. During this survey, three Ceramic Age sites were noted and investigated. GE-06 (Winthorpe's West), yielded Saladoid pottery one meter below the surface. The site however, is primarily a post-Saladoid site. The second and largest site, GE-01 is a large munti-component site (Winthorpe's East), post Saladoid and Archaic. A lithic workshop, or flint processing area was discovered here. Archaeological excavations were conducted in 1997 and 2002. The results will comprise a report, the Archaeology of Winthorpe's Bay.

Winthorpe's Bay carries the name of the historical Winthorpe's family of New England, USA. Their sugar estates were eventually purchased by the Nibbs family. Their tombstones can still be observed. During the Second World War, the area was ceded to the United States military, and an Air Base established. Although little evidence remains of this period, earthern embankments (or revetments) build to protect the airplanes, can still be found in the bush. Much of the area remains the property of the US Airforce. However, recent land development (summer 2003) has destroyed GE-01, Barnacle Point, and the Archaic sites, GE-9 and 10. Research in the area continues.

Archaic Age Sites: Winthrope's Bay; Deep Bay (1,387BC); Jolly Beach (1,775 BC); Twenty Hill (2,910 BC ); Hand Point (1,317 BC); Cloverleaf (383 BC); Five Island Gap (71 BC).

Post Saladoid Sites: Coconut Hall | Mill Reef | Muddy Bay | Winthorpes West