JOST VAN DYKE - A team from Longwood University has started archaeological excavations at the prehistoric Amerindian site at Cape Wright.

The excavation is a continuation of the work undertaken at the site last year by Brian Bates and his team of archaeologists.

The current project began June 16 and ends July 14.

The focus of the excavation is evidence of a prehistoric habitation that dates to between 600 and 1100 A.D. Last year, the team recovered prehistoric pottery, stone and shell tools, shells and animal bones.

The initial evidence suggested that the site was used in a long-term habitation during the late-prehistoric period.

The project this year targets a better understanding of the habitation, its extent and the degree to which the site was affected by later events.

The site is in a remote location on Jost Van Dyke, and the team is working there Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until noon. Afternoons are spent processing finds and doing analytical work on them at the research team's base at Cane Garden Bay.

The project is a cooperative effort of Longwood University in Virginia and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

Bates and his team have acknowledged the support of the community college and the BVI government - in particular, the Education and Culture Ministry.

The team is receiving additional help from the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society, Foxy and Tessa Callwood, Michael Arneborg and other local residents.

For more information about the project, send e-mail to Bates at batesbd@longwood.edu.

- Contact Angela Burns-Piper at 284-494-1291 or send e-mail to angelaburnspiper@yahoo.com.