Banwari Trace , an Archaic (pre-ceramic) site in southwestern Trinidad , is the oldest archaeological site in the Caribbean . The site has revealed two separate periods of occupation; one between 7200 and 6100 BP (Strata I and II) and the other between 6100 BP and 5500 BP .
10-588: Dated to about 5000 BCE or 7000 B.P (years Before Present), the archaeological site at Banwari Trace in southwestern Trinidad is the oldest pre-Columbian site in the West Indies. At this time, Trinidad was still part of South America. Archaeological research of the site has also shed light on the patterns of migration of Archaic (pre-ceramic) peoples from mainland South America to the Lesser Antilles via Trinidad between 5000 and 2000 BCE. In November 1969,
20-464: A cave painting, an archaeological site, or a town, the sites on the Watch list speak of human aspirations and achievements. To lose any one of them would diminish us all. The following countries/territories have multiple sites entered on the 2004 Watch List, listed by the number of sites: ^ A. Numbers list only meant as a guide on this article. No official reference numbers have been designated for
30-561: A select list known as the Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites that is in urgent need of preservation funding and protection. It is a call to action on behalf of threatened cultural heritage monuments worldwide. The sites are nominated by governments, conservation professionals, site caretakers, non-government organizations (NGOs), concerned individuals, and others working in the field. An independent panel of international experts then select 100 candidates from these entries to be part of
40-407: Is highly distinctive, typically consisting of artifacts made of stone and bone. Objects associated with hunting and fishing include bone projectile points, most likely used for tipping arrows and fish spears, beveled peccary teeth used as fishhooks, and bipointed pencil hooks of bone which were intended to be attached in the middle of a fishing-line. A variety of ground stone tools were manufactured for
50-459: The Trinidad and Tobago Historical Society discovered the remains of a human skeleton at Banwari Trace. Lying on its left-hand side, in a typical Amerindian “crouched” burial position along a northwest axis, Banwari Man (as it is now commonly called) was found 20-cm below the surface. Only two items were associated with the burial, a round pebble by the skull and a needlepoint by the hip. Banwari Man
60-436: The Watch List, based on the significance of the sites, the urgency of the threat, and the viability of both advocacy and conservation solutions. A site’s inclusion on the Watch List attracts international attention, helping to raise funds needed for its rescue and spurring local governments and communities to take an active role in protecting the cultural landmark. The 2004 World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites
70-496: The financial and technical support necessary to properly survey, document, preserve, interpret, and protect the site. 2004 World Monuments Watch The World Monuments Watch is a flagship advocacy program of the New York–based private non-profit organization World Monuments Fund (WMF) that is dedicated to preserving the historic, artistic, and architectural heritage around the world. Every two years, it publishes
80-553: The processing of vegetable foods, including blunt or pointed conical pestles, large grinding stones and round to oval manos. It should not be confused with the Ortoiran assemblage, which was ca BC 1000 and located in southeast Trinidad. In 2004, Banwari Trace was included in the 2004 World Monuments Watch , by the World Monuments Fund , a private international organization. It was hoped that listing would help garner
90-516: Was apparently interred in a shell midden and subsequently covered by shell refuse. Based on its stratigraphic location in the site’s archaeological deposits, the burial can be dated to the period shortly before the end of occupation, approximately 3,400 BC or 5,400 years old. This skeleton is considered to be the oldest one found in the Caribbean. This demonstrates the presence of the Caribbean's first inhabitants. The Banwarian preceramic assemblage
100-405: Was launched on 24 September 2003 by WMF President Bonnie Burnham and WMF partner American Express . For the first time, a site from Antarctica was included, ensuring that the Watch List geographically covers every continent. By working to preserve these treasures, WMF and its partners are helping to save for future generations the structures and places that tell us who we are. Be it a palace,
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