I 7 Results and Recommendations 106 •

7.1 Results 106 7.2 Recommendations 110

8 References 113

8.1 Primary Sources 113 8.2 Secondary Sources 113

Vitae 126

•

c

List of Figures

1. Northeast Coast of Puerto Rico, NOAA Nautical Chart 6

2. Punta Miqui1lo, RIo Grande, USGS Topographic Map 7

~ 3. Pocket beach development 8

4. Paradisus West and Boardwalk #1 9

5. Paradisus North 10

6. Fairmont North 11

7. Fairmont East 12

8. Beach profiles and proposed breakwater 13

9. Beach profile and proposed rock groin 14

10. Beach profile and proposed rock groin 15

11. Proposed breakwater 16

12. Coastal Geology, Punta Vacia Talega to Punta Miquillo 28

13. Detail, Geologic Map of Rio Grande 29

14. Aerial photograph of Punta Miquillo 30

15. Generalized eustatic sea level curve for last 40,000 years 52

16. Approximate coastline of Puerto Rico during the Pleistocene 53

17. Historic illustration of Caribbean aboriginal canoe 54

18. Plan of Puerto Rico, 1769 65

19. Plan of Puerto Rico, 1825 66

20. Plan of Puerto Rico, 1837 67

• 21. Plan of Rio Grande, 1840 68

~

C

• 22. Caravel. c.1S00 70

23. Galleon, c. 1580 71

24. Frigate, c. 1830 72

25. Schooner, c.1860 73

26. Mail Steamer, c.1890 74

• 27. Segment of 1681 derrotero 83

28. Detail of Punta Miquillo and Ensenada Comez6n 84

29. Paradisus Hotel 95

J 30. Ensenada Comez6n 95

31. Mud flats during low tide 96

32. End of Ensenada Comez6n 96

33. Entrance to Ensenada Comez6n 97

34. West coast of Punta Miquillo 97

• 35. Artificial wetland channel 98

36. End of wetland channel 98

37. Metal detection survey 99

• 38. Diving inspection 99

39. Coring 100

40. Coring tools 100

41. Diver with metal detector 101

42. Eolianite rock fragment 101

I 43. Modem fish bone 102 ~

c

44. Prehistoric ceramic shard 102

45. Prehistoric ceramic shards 103

• - -

List of Tables

1. Shipwrecks off the Northeast Coast of Puerto Rico 85

2. Shovel Tests, Coco Beach 104

3. Underwater Coring 105

• - -

[

\

o

Acknowledgements

The Submerged Cultural Resources Survey, Stage I, Coco Beach Resort, Punta Miquillo, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, was made possible by the support of the; CMA Architects a& Engineers, particularly Engr. Jose Torres; Engr. Jose Aponte, Coco Beach Resort; assistant archaeologists Erik Rivera Marchand and Eminett Jimenez; the personnel of the Archivo General de Puerto Rico (AGPR), particularly archivist Juan Carlos Roman; the State Historic Preservation Office; the Consejo Arqueo16gico Subacuatico and the Consejo Arqueologico Te"estre, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, and my wife Nanette for assistance in the office. To all, thank you for your support.

N

) ~

)

•

)

~

I

•

•

•

Executive Summary

Submerged Cultural Resources Survey, Stage I Coco Beach Resort, Punta Miquillo

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Jesus Vega, Ph.D. August 2005

The Submerged Cultural Resources Survey, Stage I, Coco Beach Resort at Punta Miquillo, RIo Grande, Puerto Rico, was conducted on behalf of CMA Architects & Engineers and Coco Beach Resort, per request of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Council for Underwater Archaeology, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (lCP).

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the project's potential impact on submerged cultural resources, historic and prehistoric.

The Study Area includes four (4) beach areas at Punta Miquillo, identified as Paradisus West, Paradisus North, Fairmont North and Fairmont East, to be developed through shoreline stabilization and enhancement; two (2) transects for light boardwalks, identified as Boardwalk #1 adjacent to Paradisus West and Boardwalk #2 about ISO m SE of Paradisus North; a small bay at the SW end of Ensenada Comezon, which is the proposed site for a new Finger Pier, and improvements to an existing wetland channel, approx. SOO m in length along Quebrada Juan Gonzalez, to be developed as a waterway access from the EspIritu Santo River to the proposed Dry Stack at Parcel G-SA.

The methodology included background historic and environmental research, aerial photography interpretation, historical cartography, walking and diving inspection, metal detection survey, shovel testing at the tidal zone, and underwater coring.

Results:

Our investigation corroborated the erosion of site RG-S reported at Punta Miquillo by Ortiz Aguihl and Mann (1999b). Ceramic shards and abundant shell material were observed on the tidal zone and under water. Unfortunately, the underwater visibility in this area is extremely poor.

Contrary to the conclusions of the terrestrial archaeologists who have worked at RG-5, this author believes that much data can still be acquired from this site, regarding coastal change and environmental adaptation in prehistory.

,

t

[

The submerged and eroded materials of site RG-5 lie outside of the proposed beach pocket of Paradisus West. If this proposed location is kept, immediately west of the existing swimming pool, no adverse effect is anticipated for the eroding site.

Historic data clearly indicate that a Spanish ship was lost in 1599 at Ensenada Comez6n, but there is no evidence of materials close to shore where the proposed beach pockets are located.

In addition to the Spanish wreck of1599, Ensenada Comezon might also contain the submerged remnants of prehistoric canoes. The presence of a prehistoric archaeological site at Punta Miquillo (RG-5), plus another site SW of Ensenada Comez6n (RG-8), and yet another SE of the same cove (RG-9), suggests a considerable potential for prehistoric canoes.

Regarding the proposed improvements to an existing wetland channel (approx. 500 m in length along Quebrada Juan Gonzalez), to be developed as a waterway access from the Espiritu Santo River to the proposed Dry Stack at Parcel G-5A, the existing channel was dredged in the 1960's, followed by construction of a concrete \>oat ramp. No evidence of archaeological sites has been reported near this channel. Although the channel follows a segment of Quebrada Juan Gonzalez, the existing channel itself is artificial.

In conclusion, the shallow areas designated for the proposed beach pockets are not considered sensitive to archaeological material, except for site RG-5, which is near but outside of Paradisus West. No potential adverse effects to submerged cultural resources are also anticipated for the proposed improvement to the wetland channel.

At the time of this investigation, the plans for the finger pier were not available. The proposed depth, spacing and diameter of piles, is unknown at this time, as well as the exact length and width of the finger pier. Additionally, it is unknown if the new pier will require some dredging. This will depend on the draft of the recreational vessels and water taxi expected to use the proposed pier.

Considering the extreme sedimentation, materials of the 1599 wreck may be found five or more meters under the surface of the sea-bed, beyond the range of hand-held metal detectors and hand-held underwater corers employed in this investigation.

Recommendations

No additional archaeological studies are recommended for the proposed beach pockets and boardwalks of Paradisus Hotel on the west side of Punta Miqulllo, and the proposed beach pockets of Fairmont Hotel on the east side of the peninsula.

. \

o

Regarding Paradisus West, the developers and engineers should be careful not to extend south of the proposed beach pocket as defined in Figures 3 and 4 of this report.

No additional archaeological studies are recommended for the proposed improvement to the wetland channel. No submerged archaeological sites are anticipated for this channel, created by modem dredging in order to facilitate the area's drainage. The proposed improvement is limited to a previously dredged channel.

Ensenada Comez6n is considered sensitive to submerged archaeological sites, primarily due to the loss of a Spanish nav(o in 1599.

For the finger pier at Punta Miquillo, marine archaeological monitoring is recommended. Of all the proposed developments, this is the only one with potential adverse effects to submerged cultural resources, including possible prehistoric canoes and, more importantly, the Spanish shipwreck of 1599.

Intrinsically, the discovery of a prehisto~c canoe would probably be more important than a shipwreck site, because no submerged prehistoric canoe has been discovered in Puerto Rico. The Spanish shipwreck is considered more important because it is a documented loss at Ensenada Comez6n, as opposed to an archaeological probability.

Ideally, the cove of Ensenada Comez6n should be surveyed in detail through a combined proton magnetometer and sonar survey. However, since no shipwreck materials were found within the Study Area, the remote sensing survey should be considered optional.

Beyond their historic and scientific importance, historic shipwrecks also have great recreational potential. For the visitors to Punta Miquillo, given the outstanding topside views and the unimpressive underwater sights provided by sea grass, exploring a 16th century Spanish shipwreck in shallow water would be a thrilling experience. Perhaps, such an experience would be particularly gratifying to visitors from Spain, and to anyone coming to Puerto Rico with the idea of undersea recreation. Although shipwreck archaeology can be complex, the developers of Paradisus and Fairmont hotels should not underestimate the attraction of a ship lost 405 years ago, in front of their properties .

• - -

•

1. Introduction

This report documents the methodology and results of the Submerged

Cultural Resources Survey, Stage I, Coco Beach Resort, Punta Miquillo,

Rio Grande, on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico (Figures 1 and 2).

The investigation reported herein was conducted on behalf of CMA

Architects & Engineers and Coco Beach Development Corp., in San Juan, per

request of the State Historic Preservation Office and the Council for

Underwater Archaeology, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, San Juan, Puerto

Rico.

This report details the methodology and results of the background

literature search (Stage IA) and field investigation (Stage m), including, aerial

photo interpretation, walking and diving inspection, metal detection survey,

and underwater coring.

1

I

c

1.1 Study Area

The location of the Study Area is presented in the NOAA Nautical Chart

for Virgin Passage and Sonda de Vieques (Figure 1), and the USGS Rfo

Grande Topographic Quadrangle (Figure 2).

The Study Area includes four (4) beach areas at Punta Miquillo, identified

as Paradisus West, Paradisus North, Fainnont North and Fainnont East, to be

developed through shoreline stabilization and enhancement; two (2) transects

for light boardwalks, identified as Boardwalk #1 adjacent to Paradisus West

and Boardwalk #2 about 150 m SE of Paradis us North; a small bay at the SW

end of Ensenada Comez6n, which is the proposed site for a new Finger Pier,

and improvements to an existing wetland channel, approx. SOO m in length

along Quebrada Juan Gonzalez, to be developed as a waterway access from

the Espfritu Santo River to the proposed Dry Stack at Parcel G-SA (Figures 2

to 11).

The terrestrial portion of Coco Beach has been evaluated for cultural

resources since 1980, including the detection of a small prehistoric village at

Punta Miquillo (RG-5), and additional sites south and southeast of the

peninSUla (Daub6n Vidal 1990, 1992, 1996; Ortfz Aguilu y Marin 1999,2000;

Rodriguez L6pez 1980; Rodriguez Morales 198~, 1989).

2

o

1.2 Proposed Project

The proposed project consists of the pocket beach development of Punta

Miquillo, including two boardwalks, a Finger Pier for recreational boats and

water taxi at Ensenada Comez6n, and improvements to an existing channel of

the Espfritu Santo River, as mentioned above (and illustrated in Figure 2 to

11).

The proposed facilities will increase the marine recreational potential of

the existing Paradisus Sol Melia Hotel on the west side of Punta Miquillo, and

the future Fainnont Hotel and Resort on the east side of the peninsula.

The pocket beach development and finger pier are currently being

designed by Moffatt & Nichol in Florida, for Coco Beach Development Corp.

in San Juan.

1.3 Objective of the Study

As part of the undertaking, the new project must comply with all

Commonwealth and Federal regulations, including the detection, evaluation

and preservation of historic and archaeological resources. This report is the

first step in the prediction and detection of submerged cultural resources.

3

)

I

c

This investigation has been conducted in compliance with Section 106 of

the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended (16 U.S.C. 470)

and Puerto Rico Law Number 10 of 1987 for Submerged Archaeological

Sites.

The purpose of the study was to conduct background literature search and

modeling of known and potential submerged archaeological sites, historic or

prehistoric, followed by a diving inspection, metal detection survey and

underwater coring at the Study Area.

The scope of work considered the following types of sites, which may be

found in the coastal waters of Puerto Rico:

• Submerged prehistoric sites due to coastal change • Aboriginal canoes, including prehistoric and historic eras • Historic shipwrecks, early 1500's to 1950 • Historic ports and port discards, early 1500's to 1950

The information generated by the Stage I assessment dctcnnines the

sensitivity of an area to specific types of cultural resources, providing a first-

line research design or framework for cultural resource management (CRM),

and recommending additional studies, including site-testing investigations

(Stage m and archaeological mitigation (Stage ill) if necessary.

4

c

1.4 Dates of the Study

Library and archival research was conducted through the month of July

and early August 2005, primarily at the author's personal library, with

extensive material from the Archivo General de Indias, Archivo General de

Simancas and other Spanish archives, and the Archivo General de Puerto Rico

in Puerta de Tierra. For data on previous terrestrial archaeological research at

Punta Miquillo, the author consulted the files and reports at the Consejo

Arqueo16gico Terrestre, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Following an

initial visit in July, fieldwork was conducted during the first week of August,

2005. The Final Report was completed on August 18,2005.

5

- 28 20

22 22

"

31 "."

22

36 J7S 38/ 41 94

31 33 31

27 II' 27

27

38

18

26

25

20 l1li'''' 20

18

26

21

Figure 1. Northeast coast of Puerto Rico (NOAA Nautical Chart 25650, 1993, 30th Ed, 1:100,000. The Study Area is located at Punta Miquillo, extreme left.

6

o

Figure 2. Punta Miquillo, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (USGS 1963, photorevised 1982,1:20,000). Location of proposed finger pier marked with orange arrow. Beginning and end of proposed improvement to wetland channel marked with aqua arrows. Archaeological sites are represented by red triangles, including, from north to south, RG-5, RG-8, RG-9 and four small sites in Cerro Bravo.

7

•

•

~

a

a

t

0 :fi ~f

~ ;r'

~~j

~ ..

"J

~

D "otl

0 r l.:

Figure 3. Pocket beach development, including Paradisus West and Boardwalk #1, Paradisus Boardwalk #2, Paradisus North, Fairmont North and Fairmont East.

8

o

, I! :!, '" •• of· 'I J ~ Ii: , _ :j .~ ... ~.~ .... . '1 ,

! '" 1" I' r - . -, - --I-- - -- - -~ll""--~!:,.. ,,,: ~~~~'.f< ; I I " • ,,' r,\ , I I I I ;

I I

I '

Figure 4. Paradisus West and Boardwalk #1. White circles are shovel tests; aqua circles are underwater cores, Figs. 4 to 7.

9

•

•

o

, "

f i~

. '. " . .. ,,"/"'

'~ .. ~ / ' .... , I

...

t'.

) I~ I !

'/

.I ,.

'\

I

!

: :

(

.," "\ ~) I j l ., ' ___ I .... ..

/ ." ,:' :. .'

t' ,I • I.{,/ j····,1 r! " '\ r.) '.

~/""'\~\ 'i' /

' .., '. I I , . ' , 1 , I!.'

• / I " d\ I. I \ , I : "'. -, \ ,r.. / ( , , . x. Il' \ '..::~ ,. ,.'

I I , 1'\ ~ ; ,' .... / ~"~~ .r ..... t J . I ') '\, j / .;. :vl,~:< ... / \., /'

. / I I.' ...... '(. .• r, .. ,\.\ , , . .' ." .. ' ·4 ""ie. / ..

ATLANTIC OCEAN I. J/r :.,::.:-: __ ., ////'. ~ ')

'", I ~ , , I f ('1' " / /'. /; / ~\ , •• /1 Q ... ,./( I / .::'If"., I I I .. ' " , , . , '. . I : '\

" 'to (toil ." ,~\,. J. I /

, .IN',,,'/' o ..... ··jl!,.I; " _ .'\. J ( " ". ,

/ I .~~~': . I~'/.;.~'" \ i f I J / .:,~ / / '"}' I,· . ~ . ••• "I

I f 1'-~ I !. ':~. :> :+--"':--1 I / ...; .. \ '~: .. :~- ..

: .... '··~· ~ !.r '. ~ .. .. _ ~ -, .-........ ./ ~" ..... . ..... ... .

/ --.... , -..... ,. . .. . , .. ~" . "~

/ /, / -,-.. " <', c,i' '"

.'.J rio . ,;' / .......... '.~ -.-" I'; ,--/ I / ':. 1'. I ' ~' , '7 - ... '

••. :..~,J ! 1/ /( / " "-._... ,f ~./ , ., \ "

r-

~~ , ...

,

'" .. "

.' / ! J ~'i I / / I

,., ~~? i .! .. - ~ , .- i "

.. •

,.. >'>...-'. " , ,,1 "I ,.'

~.

" ,',. .... . . , , .... / ..- -

I ,

" ' f /

'fo......." : r'j. , ,

'/ I . .'

i

/

. , ,

,

.. ' ,

,

:-' i. ~. c.

'I;r' I')

ZN W ew

'.J,-~.,.

... %('01

'" fit~ ~j

:s

'f

.~

.'

.

, ....

. ....

,

Figure 5. Paradisus North.

10

. .....

zll3

I~ :>

..... ,.-' , .. ' ,. ........

. :'

.. - .-' .. ~.

, '''' ~C= C -

.' .

't1 .... r., '

•

•

c

, ,I

I

, ,. .. \ )I. \ '" \" \/ '\ \, ,,' , \" \. \

//\ \ "'- // \ "\ \ \ " \" \ \ / \ "" \

\ \ \ • I \" " ....... ~ ,,/ \ \ "..;/ \ ~\ \ " /" \ \ \ ,."1(\ "\ \'~ x'(.. \ 1\

Figure 6, Fainnont North,

\ y "\ \'" \ \) / \ \ \ I ~ \/\ \ "\ / '\ \ \ \ ~

/( \ \\ \/ ....." ATLANTlC\ \ \ \ '\

\ \ .... \:., OCEAN \ ~ ~\A\ \\ I \ \. /' \ \ \ ,,\ \

\ >\ \ \""' '- \ \ IV \ \ \ \ )" \ \, \ \ X'. \ ' \

'\ \ / \ \. \ ~ \/ I ,\ \ \ \, I ~;; \, \ \ ./, \ /\ \~, \ \ \ I

~: \ \ ci \" \ \' \ \ \J )-,. ,'" \ \ / /"'q \ .~, \ \ / \\

\ '- "\ \ \ ..... _\ \... \ \ \ ~. A \\ '\ ,,/ \ , \

.. \,/ \ \ \ v .... \ 'X \ \ '\\ -\ ~\

11

\ \ \ \ '

\ " \.. \ , 0\ ~ \: " \

\ " \ \ \. \ \ \ \ \ \ ~ \ \ \ ~\ \

'-

\\ ~\ \\

\ ' \ \ I

•

Figure 7. Fainnont East.

12

•

Figure 8. Beach profiles and proposed breakwater.

o 13

,~

• ·~.I

~" (.

t ..

t If'l ~

~ t

~

to r l .;

r~' r I LJ

1.2 Proposed Project

The proposed project consists of the pocket beach development of Punta

Miquillo, including two boardwalks, a Finger Pier for recreational boats and

water taxi at Ensenada Comez6n, and improvements to an existing channel of

the Espfritu Santo River, as mentioned above (and illustrated in Figure 2 to

11).

The proposed facilities will increase the marine recreational potential of

the existing Paradisus Sol Melia Hotel on the west side of Punta MiquiIIo, and

the future Fairmont Hotel and Resort on the east side of the peninsula.

The pocket beach development and finger pier are currently being

designed by Moffatt & Nichol in Florida, for Coco Beach Development Corp.

in San Juan.

1.3 Objective of the Study

As part of the undertaking, the new project must comply with all

Commonwealth and Federal regulations, including the detection, evaluation

and preservation of historic and archaeological resources. This report is the

first step in the prediction and detection of submerged cultural resources.

3

This investigation has been conducted in compliance with Section 106 of

the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended (16 U.S.C. 470)

, and Puerto Rico Law Number 10 of 1987 for Submerged Archaeological

Sites. :.J

~ t.

The purpose of the study was to conduct background literature search and

~ modeling of known and potential submerged archaeological sites, historic or

prehistoric, followed by a diving inspection, metal detection survey and , . .',

underwater coring at the Study Area.

~ • ~

The scope of work considered the following types of sites, which may be

found in the coastal waters of Puerto Rico:

~ ~ • Submerged prehistoric sites due to coastal change

~ '.c.' ~

"

• Aboriginal canoes, including prehistoric and historic eras • Historic shipwrecks, early 1500's to 1950 • Historic ports and port discards, early 1500's to 1950

D t The information generated by the Stage I assessment determines the

0 sensitivity of an area to specific types of cultural resources, providing a first-

0 line research design or framework for cultural resource management (CRM),

and recommending additional studies, including site-testing investigations

D (Stage II) and archaeological mitigation (Stage ill) if necessary.

r t LJ

r I ,

..... 4

j

o

c

~ I , I . I. ,

1.4 Dates of the Study

Library and archival research was conducted through the month of July

and early August 2005, primarily at the author's personal library, with

extensive material from the Archivo General de Indias, Archivo General de

Simancas and other Spanish archives, and the Archivo General de Puerto Rico

in Puerta de Tierra. For data on previous terrestrial archaeological research at

Punta Miquillo, the author consulted the files and reports at the Consejo

Arqueol6gico Terrestre, Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Following an

initial visit in July, fieldwork was conducted during the first week of August,

2005. The Final Report was completed on August 18,2005.

5

•

t

•

[

- 28 38., 38/ 41 38

'22 20 31

"I 9. 22 31 33 26

22 31 27 27 U '

26 27

23

Figure 1. Northeast coast of Puerto Rico (NOAA Nautical Chart 25650,1993, 301h Ed, 1:100,000. The Study Area is located at Punta Miquillo, extreme left .

6

•

o

Figure 2. Punta Miquillo, Rfo Grande, Puerto Rico (USGS 1963, photorevised 1982, 1:20,000). Location of proposed finger pier marked with orange arrow. Beginning and end of proposed improvement to wetland channel marked with aqua arrows. Archaeological sites are represented by red triangles, including, from north to south, RG-5, RG-8, RG-9 and four small sites in Cerro Bravo.

7

0 • ~,

'j

~

• "', ~.:.

"

• ~ ..

.. ~

, ,. "

:

or :

Figure 3. Pocket beach development, including Paradisus West and Boardwalk #1, Paradisus Boardwalk #2, Paradisus North, Fairmont North and Fairmont East.

8

" \.

'"", ~ is'~/ /::o~

, .. ~

•

•

o

• I

I '\ I I / \ I I \ I

~;::;,-~~.--~,·-l----·r - -I I I I J

;1 .

£ \ oj \ ,. ' / I

1 I \ / /

, :.. .

Figure 4. Paradisus West and Boardwalk #1. White circles are shovel tests; aqua circles are underwater cores, Figs. 4 to 7.

9

,

•

»

•

o

.," ..... ," I .. . ,

.' " , "\ I ............. .

f ,.' / :, " *' / ~ ,./ .... ' ..... / I : '" ", ~ , ',: ,,/ -' '"" j I'

/ " " ~ "J ] } I ,,/ , ,, ' / " J" f • '\ ••.•.

~ I ./ ' . ft~:" \ "::. I f \ .... I ' .,.. 0' .' ,,', I·' f ' .

I I I f\ .... ..,. I ,,"I ~/"', . ,.'

J . . ,\1 . '. 'V • , ,/

I I I ; I I • '1..:' .. "'/ '\-, I / .' ..... "( .. ( t • ,,'..'

. ..- ..... '~ -4/,,1 ... IJ,~"~' / . . ; __ ,.,/ ~_ ._ . .., I//!, )

'"" I ~ I I I f I,,?" . ;;', I; I ~\ " S·";·~ l, I ~ '1, ,', !,. ( <. / / '\

.. ';- "i I . l I"',, I . , , I I J "!...", / /: ",0,,, ", ~ f! / / '\

/ I .~i / t. I~'/ ,; ~ ." ~ I f I / t~ : / ',. I, " • ~

" . l"/

ATLANTIC OCEAN

", 1//>' " 1 G." "I .... ~.' .... ~ !... - , .... -,',

,,". It' ~ ... \ '::, :~ .... " ..... ;~ "" . , .... _ c,..'-' -, .-........ j

...... "'" .... - .' / ... ... ,. "''',. ".,

,,..)< /-"; ~ ", A

" ; . () .r , , __

,'Q r I Ii'· ~ .. ,,' ~ ... -, ~\; / \ . '" '- -/ /" /,,1\,

" '" ':'~" J ,-' ,"/ :' I ,.t -, \ ""', "- '- ...,. / J '" '" -, r .".- _., ,-' ' ",' I "

",. t J , , ,,' {,;i i

'""" .! .. -'"' --:-_' .. , i " "" .-.-_.

'''',,~ /

"", I

) I~

I ! ... I i

!

.I .I

" \

; :', f', /

t '., / / ,/ / ._.

"

"" " .t, .. .~

."'-...

Figure 5. Paradisus North.

"

~.

,.'

.. ' ,

, ,

,

/ I

pi) ZN W , elY

10

-' .... -' .-'

,,,..' '\

" ......

o

, . \ \ /'" \', \ \ 'x'\ \, ,I' \" \ \

./ \ \ \ \ // \ ',,, \\ ,I \ \ \ \ ./ \ "" \

\ '- \:/1 1'\ ,,, \, '~ //' \ \ 'yl \ '\~ \ \ / \ \

\ \ ,."It\\ " \ \. )../\ \ 1\

Figure 6. Fainnont North.

\ 'y '\ t" \ \ J / \ \ \ I ~ \/\ \ , \ '\ \ \ \ \\

\ '\ \/ --,I ATLANllC\ \ \ \ '\ \ \ X \ OCEAN \ ~ ~ ~ \\

\ \ /\ \ I \ \ \

\ Y( \ \""'" \ \ lv"" \ \ \ , ,I \ \ \ \ \ X'. \ ' \

\,,, / \ \. \ j, / \\ \ \' I 'b,\. \\ 1\ /\ ~ \ \\1

~ ,,\ . \,1 \ ,\ \ \ \J ): " \ \, 7 /1I~ \ ~ \ \ / \ \

' \ \ ,I \ ~ <',_\ \" \\ \ "'~.A \\

\ .. / \ , \ .\/ \ , \ /~ \ . , \ \, \ \ . \ \ \ ~ \.

\ \ \ \ \

11

\ \ '.r.. \ '\ \ '\ \

\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \\ \

\ ~ \ \ \ \ '-

\\ \\ \' \ \

\ \

Figure 7. Fairmont East.

12

Figure 8. Beach profiles and proposed breakwater.

o 13

From the perspective of historical archaeology, the insular shelf is where

most historic shipwrecks were lost, primarily due to groundings, storms and

hurricanes, collision, battles. and fire. Although many important shipwreck

sites lie in deep waters, the insular and continental shelves are likely to remain

the primary areas of undersea archaeological research during the 21 sl century.

2.3 Coastal Geology of Rio Grande

The coast of Rio Grande is characterized by wetlands and lowlands with

Holocene sediments, inshore reefs, and medium-sized rivers. The hidrology is

controlled by the Herrera River to the west (on the border with LOlza), the

Espfritu Santo River, the Cano de Rodrfguez which runs across Cienaga La

Picua, and the Mameyes River to the east (on the border with Luqillo).

The Rfo Grande, or Grande River, namesake of the town and municipality,

is a tributary of the Espfritu Santo River, which meanders past the town of Rfo

Grande and connects to the main ri ver about 4 km south from the coast.

The names of these ri vers have changed through the centuries. The

• EspIritu Santo River was also known as the RIO Grande; Rodriguez Creek was

0 also known as Cano de Las Perchas and the Miquillo or Uquillo River, and the

Mameyes River was as also known as Rfo de la Sabana and Rfo Luquillo.

• :.~J n ~: I

r0- 25 t J

l ,

· ~ lfiI

•

•

o If;! lW

Cl

.D ~ I ' U

r I I

In previous centuries, the Rodriguez Creek was an active stream,

connected to the mouth of the Mameyes River to the east. The natural closing

of this river produced the large swamps (Qs) of Cienaga La Picua, which runs

along most of the Rio Grande coast, often separated from the sea by narrow

beach deposits (Qb).

The swamp deposits are characterized by black and dark-gray silt and

clay, with a high content of organic material, up to 5 m thick. The beach

deposits are mostly yellowish-gray to light-gray beach and eolian sand

composed of quartz grains with abundant shell and coral fragments. Interior

deposits also contain volcanic-rock grains and decomposing plant material

(Pease, Jr. and Briggs 1972).

Between the town of RIO Grande and the coast, the EspIritu Santo River

cuts through a large alluvial plain (Qa), mostly of brownish -gray and very

dark gray deposits of silt, clay and sand. Coarse gravel is usually present near

the river.

The adjacent coastlines of Loiza and RIO Grande were studied by Kaye

(1959:114-115), noting that this area has the deepest and most extensive fossil

beach ridges in Puerto Rico. The fossil beaches or relict shorelines are

evidence or coastal changes associated with sedimentation of the Loiza and

EspIritu Santo River. Two decades later, the coastal geology of these

26

municipalities was also studied by Monroe (1977) and Pease, Jr. and Briggs

(1972).

For dating the fossil ridges, Kaye used the 161h-century town of Loiza

Aldea, and a prehistoric site simply described as "the Indian site" (Kaye

1959:115). Although Kaye must be credited with the first use of historic maps

and archaeological data in the study of shoreline changes in Puerto Rico, his

use of the archaeological data is rudimentary.

Kaye indicates that the Indian site "belongs to the preceramic culture of

Puerto Rico." But the site located in his map corresponds to the large

ceramic site of Hacienda Grande (Rouse and Alegria 1990). Apparently,

Kaye misunderstood his oral communication with archaeologist Ricardo

Alegria, who also conducted important research on the nearby preceramic site

of Maria de la Cruz. Unlike the open site of Hacienda Grande, Maria de la

Cruz is located in a cave and therefore its use as coastal marker cannot be

applied directly.

While Kaye used archaeological data for his coastal geomorphology

studies, the author has reversed the equation, using geomorphological data in

order to predict the location and preservation potential of submerged cultural

resources, as discussed in section 3 of this report.

27

•

Figure 12. Coastal Geology, Punta Vacfa Talega to Punta Miquillo (Kaye 1959).

o 28

)

•

•

•

•

o

Figure 13. Detail, Geologic Map of Rio Grande (Pease, Jr. and Briggs 1972). Notice swamp deposits (Qs), beach deposits (Qb), alluvium (Qa) in yellow, hill of Cerro Bravo Andesite (Kbr) in reddish brown, and narrow reef entrance to Ensenada Comez6n. Although the reef is reported as coral by Kaye (1959) in the previous map, it is eolianite with a coral veneer on the fringes and a thick layer of silt, sand and sea grass on the inshore side. Black arrows represent approximate location of paleo-river, as discussed in section 3 of this report.

29

•

•

•

•

o

Figure 14. Aerial photograph of Punta Miquillo, with proposed shoreline enhancement areas marked with orange arrows and proposed boardwalks with yellow arrows. Notice artificial channel to the left, marked with aqua arrows, dredged in 1966 to provide access from the EspIritu Santo River to Ensenada Comez6n. The red arrow represents location of prehistoric ceramics and shell in tidal zone and under water, eroded from site RG-S.

30

[

3. Terrestrial and Submerged Prehistoric Sites

This section addresses the probability of prehistoric sites within or

adjacent to the Study Area. Caribbean prehistoric sites may include shell

middens, lithic quarries and workshops, human burials, post molds of thatched

houses, hearths, petroglyphs, ceremonial ball courts, canoes, etc.

Caribbean prehistory is often divided into preceramic and ceramic

cultures. Ceramic or pottery-making societies inhabited most of the islands by

the late 15th century, including the Taino chiefdoms or ranked societies of

Puerto Rico, considered with the chiefdoms of Hispaniola as the most

advanced aboriginal societies of the Caribbean.

Although some preceramic or non-pottery making societies were also

encountered by Spanish explorers and conquistadors, preceramic groups

generally occupied the islands thousands of years before the ceramic societies.

31

Known archaeological evidence indicates that the Greater Antilles were

occupied by preceramic hunter-gatherers at least 6,000 years ago, and by

ceramic or pottery-making horticulturalists about 2,500 years ago (Rouse

1992:51; Wilson 1997:4).

Environmental reconstruction of Pleistocene and Holocene sea levels

indicate the flooding of Caribbean insular shelves, almost certainly flooding

the earliest prehistoric sites in the region. Thus, the 6,000 yrs BP approximate

entry date of humans in the Caribbean is probably in error. The oldest

prehistoric sites are under the sea and they have yet to be found and dated.

3.1 Changing Levels of Land and Sea

Marine transgressions, the technical tenn for the flooding of coastal areas

by the sea, may occur due to a variety of local, regional, or global processes.

Land may be eroded or subside due to tectonic movement, isostatic depression

or sediment compaction. In higher latitudes, postglacial rebound may

gradually lift the coast.

Sea level may rise due to changes in the volume of ocean water or ocean

~ t

ridges (Donovan and Jones 1979). Following current theory, the major agent

of coastal change has been a global or eustatic sea level rise due to the melting

~ , ! k· j

,.... 32

L~

)

r t

r

of land-blocked ice, resulting from cyclical variations in the earth's orbit

(Hays et al. 1976:1121).

According to the glacio-eustatic model, low sea levels are associated with

land ice advances called stadials, while high sea levels are associated with the

retreat of land ice sheets called interstadials. The more ice on land, the lower

the sea level.

Numerous ice ages have occurred as far back as 93 million years ago, but

our concern is with the last ice age so far. Beginning about 80,000 yrs BP

(before the present), the more recent ice age is defined as the Wisconsin

glaciation in North America, and the Wtinn glaciation in Europe. This glacial

episode played a central role in the migration of our species, Homo sapiens

sapiens, to the principal archipelagoes of the world, including the Caribbean,

by reducing the distances between continental masses and offshore islands

world-wide.

There is general consensus that the sea was near its present level by about

35,000 yrs BP. Then the sea level began to drop as the Laurentide and other

Pelistocene ice sheets expanded over the Northern Hemisphere.

By 20,000 to 15,000 yrs BP, sea level reached its lowest point in the

Wisconsin glaciation. Estimates for this lowest sea level stand include minus

33

r [

60 m (Blackwelder et al. 1979), minus 85-90 m (Momer 1971), and minus

130 m (Milliman and Emery 1968).

Around 17,000 to 15,000 yrs BP, the Holocene marine transgression

began (Figure 8). During the most rapid stage of deglaciation, beginning

about 10,000 yrs BP, sea level probably rose at a rate of lOmm per year. By

7,000 yrs BP, sea level may have been some 10 m (32 ft.) below present level

(Shepard 1963). Much of the Caribbean Archipelago had been reached by

preceramic navigators by that time.

From 7,000 yrs BP onwards, the sea continued rising at a much slower

pace. At this stage, there are significant disagreements among researchers.

Van Andel and Laborel (1964), Fairbridge (1961) and others have proposed

sea level oscillations with higher-than-present sea levels in the late Holocene,

while Curray (1961), Scholl and Stuiver (1969), Shepard (1963) and others

have reported evidence of a smooth sea level curve approaching the present

level by about 4,000 to 2,000 B.P. Indirect corroboration from oxygen

isotopic analysis of glacial history supports slightly higher, late Holocene sea

levels than at present, but the problem remains an open question.

The rising seas were marked by interruptions or stillstands. These periods

of stationary sea levels allowed the development of marine terraces, which

may be observed under water. Prominent submarine terraces are found in the

34

· . Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean at the average depths of

15 m (49 ft.) and 40-45 m ( 130-165 ft.). The depth of marine terraces may

vary due to local tectonism, so that Pleistocene terraces may be found in

shallower water, and even above present sea level. ,

Stillstands also allowed the formation of sea caves, beaches, and

associated geomorphological features. From an archaeological perspective,

stationary sea levels also made possible the formation of permanent, or semi-

permanent, stratified coastal sites (Vega 1990, 1995).

Since the early 1930's, archaeologists speculated that prehistoric peoples

lived on portions of the now submerged, continental and insular shelves.

However, most researchers assumed that such sites would have been

destroyed by the rising seas of the Holocene transgression. Today, the

archaeological community has finally begun to realize that the traditional

"sand castle hypothesis" is false (Vega 1990). During the last three decades,

diving researchers have proven that submerged land sites of virtually any age

may survive inundation in both fresh and salt-water environments, and be

systematically studied under water.

Submerged land sites of prehistoric, classical or historic cultures have

already been found world-wide, including Florida, California, Maine, Canada,

Jamiaca, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Virgin Gorda, Nevis, St. Eustatius, Denmark"

35

Russia, Yugoslavia, Sweeden, France, England, Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar,

Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon, Tasmania, The Philippines, etc.

(Masters and Flemming 1983; Muckelroy 1980, etc.).

Searching for submerged prehistoric sites was first proposed in the United

States by Goggin (1960), with early discussions by Solecki (1961), Shepard

(1964), Emery and Edwards (1966), Salwen (1967), Bullen (1969) and

Warren (1964). During this time, the archaeological community was not

ready for diving and sea level research, and the problem remained more

theoretical than practical.

In the Caribbean, the search for submerged prehistoric sites was first

proposed by Nicholson (1976a), following a survey of Antigua, which

indicated that shell middens on the NE coast are undergoing marine

transgression, while middens on the SW coast are now inland.

More recently, Ruppe (1980b) has also encouraged a search for drowned

Caribbean sites, based on his own successful underwater research in West

Florida.

The first excavation of a submerged prehistoric site in the Caribbean, was

conducted by the author, at Isla Verde Site, off Puerto Rico's north coast

I • (Vega 1981, 1982). Geoarchaeological modeling indicates that all four coasts

V1 ' ;

t •

r 36

L

of Puerto Rico may yield submerged prehistoric sites, with the highest

probability off the NE coast (Vega 1990b). Another submerged prehistoric

site has been identified off Joyuda, off the west coast (Vega 1995).

More recently, a submerged preceramic site, probably the first in the

Caribbean, was detected off Con dado Beach, San Juan, Puerto Rico (Vega

1999).

Modeling of Caribbean sea level indicates that Vieques Sound was dry

land during the Peistocene or Ice Age of the Wisconsin glaciation. A long

paleo-island extended from Mona Passage to Anegada Passage, including the

main island of Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the keys of La Cordillera, St.

Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Virign Gorda, Anegada and lesser keys of the U.S.

and British Virgin Islands (Figure 9).

The paleo-island has been named Puerto Virgen by this researcher (Vega

1995: 109). Only the island of St. Croix was not included in Puerto Virgen, as

it lies outside of the insular shelf of Puerto Rico.

There is some dispute as to the beginning and end of the Pleistocene

Epoch. Most researchers in the U.S. agree that the Pleistocene began

approximately 1.9 million years ago and ended about 13,000 to 11,500 years

» ago.

r!

r 37 i 1,,--.<

•

L ,

L

Traditionally, archaeologists believed that humans walked from Siberia to

North America around 11,200 years ago. Recent research indicates that

people from Siberia and other parts of Asia may have reached the Americas as

early as 20,000 years ago (Dillehay 2000). The latest research suggests that

the first migrants in the Americas were Ice Age coastal navigators.

During the marine archaeological survey of Vieques Sound, conducted by

the author for the installation of a submarine water pipe from Vieques to

Culebra, the author detected beachrock at a depth of 62 ft. (19 m) and 4 miles

(6.4 km) north of Vieques. Beachrock (Qbr) is cemented sand, forming a hard

pavement along the shore. When found under water, it generally indicates

that marine transgression has taken place. The beachrock pavement was

formed during the flooding of Vieques Sound, sometime during the early

Holocene.

Recent studies indicate that "beach rock" or lithified sandstone may also

be formed under water (Mathews 1990:90). Still, the formation of beachrock

pavements along the shoreline is a fact corroborated by numerous studies

throughout the world .

In addition to the rise in eustatic or global sea level, tectonic factors may

also have also played a secondary role in the flooding of San Juan. According

38

•

n {

r-

i

to the model developed by the author (Vega 1990), the northeast end of the

Puerto Rico insular shelf is almost imperceptibly tilting down, while the

south.west is gradually rising.

3.2 Prehistory of Puerto Rico

According to Rouse and Allaire (1978:465), people started migrating into

the West Indies as early as 6,000 to 7,000 yrs BP. This entry is backed by

Pina (1971), Veloz and Ortega (1976), and others. Raggi (1973) suggests a

possible entry between 6,000 and 15,000 yrs BP. Nicholson (1976) suggests

possible migrations as early as 17,000 yrs BP.

Regardless of the time and reasons of the first Caribbean migrations, it is

clear that the first prehistoric explorers used some type of watercraft to cross

the passages from the mainland(s), and then from island to island. The first

West Indians were navigators in a semi-enclosed sea.

The earliest inhabitants of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean were preceramic

peoples. Although there are significant variations within the preceramic

cultures, the following criteria are applicable to most groups:

• small population units «100 individuals per band)

• tendency towards nomadism

• hunting, coastal gathering and fishing

39

)

• no use of agriculture

• • watercraft without sails

• often associated with coastal middens.

It is important to keep in mind that preceramic peoples were fishermen

and coastal hunter-gatherers not because they had yet to invent agriculture and

ceramics, but rather because their small numbers and available resources

allowed them to live off the land and the sea without the toil of agriculture.

Formal preceramic typologies have been produced by Kozlowski (1974),

Pina et al. (1976), Rouse and Allaire (1978), and others. Although there are

significant discrepancies, most researchers would agree that there are three

primary typological patterns in the archaeological assemblages of preceramic

cultures. Pattern 1 is characterized by ground stone artifacts, including stone

balls, mortars and grinders. Pattern 2 is characterized by stone artifacts

produced by percussion and pressure flaking, including choppers, scrapers,

lanceolate points, flint knives, blades and microblades. Finally, Pattern 3 is

characterized by shell artifacts, including conch picks and vessels, shell

hammers, scrapers and gouges.

Preceramic peoples survived into the Ceramic Age of Arawak and Carib

migrations from South America. Moreover, some preceramic bands survived

r t J

40

into the early historic period, at least in Cuba, as reported by Spanish

geographers Andres Morales and Alonso de Santa Cruz (Sauer 1969:48).

Ceramic-producing peoples started migrating from South America into the )

Caribbean about 2,500 yrs BP or more, moving north along the Lesser

Antilles and arriving in Puerto Rico as early as 300 BC (before Christ).

Originating of Arawak stock, these peoples were characterized by the

following traits:

• horticulture , • ceramics

• pennanent villages

• watercraft without sails until historic times

• originally settled in coastal areas

• often associated with large shell middens

• sophisticated stone sculptures

• increased dependence on agriculture

• absorption of previous, preceramic peoples

• construction of plazas and ball courts

• eventual development of ceremonial centers

• culmination in regional chiefdoms

At the time of the Spanish arrival in the so-called New World, the

aboriginal ceramic cultures of Puerto Rico were exploiting all ecozones,

-. r 41

L

including the sea, the coast, mangrove lagoons, rivers, inland valleys and the

rugged mountain interior.

Aboriginal ceramic sites in Puerto Rico are generally grouped into three

principal, pottery-making traditions. In chronological order, these include the

Saladoid, Ostionoid and Chicoid series or traditions. Again, there are

differences of interpretation and stylistic variations within these traditions, but

the main traits may be described as follows:

Saladoid: white-on-red wares, often including modeling ans incision.

Often associated with land-based foods, particularly crabs. Related traits

include zemis or three-pointed stones, cohoba pipes, etc. Saladoid sites in

Puerto Rico range approximately from 300 BC (before Christ) to 600 AD

(after Christ). A distinct Huecoid series has been proposed by Chanlatte

(1981). Other researchers interpret Huecoid ceramics as a Saladoid sub-series

(Rouse 1992).

Ostionoid: use of red paint on entire surfaces of vessels, evolving into a

red slip. Emergence of ball couts and ceremonial centers in Puerto Rico, and

apparent increase in the production of zemis, have been related to the

Ostionoid series. Often associated with large shell middens. Ostionoid sites

in Puerto Rico range approximately from 600 to 1200 AD.

42

•

r L,

Chicoid: also called Chican-Ostionoid by some authors. Elaborate pottery

with smooth surfaces and modeled-incised designs, but little use of paint.

Chicoid ceramics are associated with the Talno chiefdoms encountered by the

first Spanish explorers and settlers (Rouse 1992). Chicoid sites in Puerto Rico

range approximately from 1200 AD to the mid-16th century.

3.3 Submerged Prehistoric Sites

Puerto Rico's first submerged prehistoric site was discovered by the

author and geologist Arturo Camacho, in the late 1970's, off the north coast

(Vega 1981). Located 6 km E of San Juan Islet, Isla Verde Site is a

submerged midden off Punta el Medio, Carolina.

Isla Verde Site is located in shallow, protected water, between an inshore

reef and Puerto Rico's north shore. A small islet is adjacent to the submerged

midden .

Following a preliminary survey in 1979, underwater test excavations

were conducted in 1980. The site has been subsequently visited for additional

observations, up to the present.

Underwater excavations revealed a compact midden, submerged in place.

Located at the median point of a compound lunate embayment, Isla Verde was

43

submerged as the embayment expanded. During transgression, the midden

was partly protected from surf by the reef and a small islet.

The 1980 excavations yielded Ostionoid and a few Eelenoid pottery

shards, petaloid stone celts made of mudstone and volcanic breccia, shell

picks and gouges, human bones, turtle and manatee bones, and diverse species

• of gastropod and bivalve shellfish.

Another possible, submerged prehistoric site has been detected off

• Joyuda, on the W coast. Numerous other sites are presently at the edge of the

sea, including Cano de los Indios in Ceiba, Cayo Cofresl in Jobos, Cayito in

Santa Isabel, Magueyes in Lajas, Joyuda in Cabo Rojo, Mar Chiquita in

Manat], Maisabel and Cerro Gordo in Vega Baja. etc. (Vega 1990).

• A submerged, preceramic site was recently detected off Condado Beach,

San Juan, by the author and oceanographer Vance Vicente, during the

installation of a fiber-optic, trans-oceanic cable (Vega 1999). Vega-Vicente

Site is a shell midden about 205 m (671 ft.) from shore, at a depth of 6.7 m

(22 ft.), behind a submerged beachrock pavement. This discovery supports

the author's model for submerged prehistoric middens (Vega 1990b: 13, Fig.

18).

r L

r 44

According to mid-to-Iate Holoene sea level curves for the Caribbean,

based on extensive coring and radiocarbon dating of wetlands in Jamaica

(Diggerfeldt and Hendry 1987), the depth of the site suggests a tentative

dating of 6,250 yrs BP. The site is characterized by large lithic tools,

numerous shell points, absence of pottery, Strombus conchs with their tips

removed, and diverse species of gastropod and bivalve shells.

In addition to possible submerged prehistoric sites, drowned during the

Holocene marine transgression, the prehistoric canoes of aboriginal peoples

may also be found in the coastal waters of Puerto Rico, as discussed below.

3.4 Aboriginal Watercraft

The primary aboriginal method of water transport was the canoe, with

possible, secondary use of rafts. The antiquity of canoes is well established.

In Florida, prehistoric dugout canoes dating back to 3,000 yrs BP have been

excavated in wet sites.

In the Bahamas, Columbus saw canoes "all of one piece hollowed like a

tray from the trunk of one tree ... so large as to contain forty or forty-five

men, while others were so small as to hold one person" (McKusick 1970:8).

In Jamaica, Columbus measured on finely decorated canoe at 29 m (96 ft.)

I t

and 1.8 m (6 ft.) wide (Sauer 1969:82). This was surpassed by another canoe

~ : ~ t::'",'\

[ 45

at the Bay Islands, off Honduras, "as great as a galley, eigth feet wide, all of a

single trunk" (ibid:128).

Coppier describes a Lesser Antillean canoe that was 27 m (90 ft.) long, , which he estimated could carry up to eighty-five persons plus cargo (Cardenas

1981:143). Columbus reports that the largest canoes traveled with great

speed, strictly be paddling. None of the Eurpean explorers mention the use of

aboriginal sail. According to the Spanish Friar Blasius, rescued by the British

at Dominica in 1606, all of his companions were killed by Carib Indians, who

spared him for teaching them how to rig sails to their canoes (Mckusick

1970:5).

Aboriginal canoes were built of mahogany (Swistenia mahogany), cedar

(Cedrale odorata Gornier), silk cotton (Ceiba pentranda), and other fine

woods (Figure 12). The construction process often included the use of fire.

Prehistoric Caribbean navigation is discussed in detail by Robiou (1993). The

structural difference between river and seagoing canoes is discussed by Vega

t (1990, 1995), including the possible aboriginal invention of the pirogue or

keeled canoe.

The use of canoes extended well into the historic period, with rigged

pirogues used as late as the 191h century. Prehistoric or historic, the discovery

of a canoe in Puerto Rico's waters would be of primary significance, because

r 46

1,. ..

not one has been systematically excavated. Such a discovery might occur

practically anywhere in Puerto Rico's coastal waters, including beaches,

coastal shallows, ri ver mouths, reefs, lagoons, ports and under modern piers.

, 3.5 Known and Potential Prehistoric Sites at Punta Miquillo

The inventories of prehistoric sites at the State Historic Preservation

Office and the Consejo Arqueol6gico Terrestre report the presence of

prehistoric sites at Punta Miquillo and adjacent terrestrial areas.

The development of Punta MiquiIlo began in 1959. In order to fill the

mangrove swamp of the peninsula, dredging operations were conducted in

1962 at the Espiritu Santo River. The dredging was continued in 1966, now

including a channel around the peninsula of Punta Miquillo. The purpose of

this channel was to provide a safe waterway between the EspIritu Santo River

and Ensenada Comezon.

The dredging was continued until 1969. The steel-hulled vessel used for

dredging the channel was lost on the reef surrounding Punta Miquillo.

Presumably, the vessel was lost in 1969, on the rim of the reef .

• ~

The first archaeological study was conducted by Rodriguez Lopez (1980),

,. "

t for the Coco Beach residential development located SE of Punta Miquillo.

r ' , , ,

l ,

r 47 I

(., ..

During this investigation, Rodriguez Lopez detected surface archaeological

material at Punta Miquillo, on the west side of the peninsula, reported as Site

RG-S.

Additional studies at RG-5 were conducted by Rodriguez Morales (1988

and 1989), in order to assess the impact of filling operations on the site.

These initial studies were conducted per federal legislation, as Puerto Rico

Law Number 112 For the Protection of Terrestrial Archaeological Resources

was passed in 1988 (ICP 1991). This investigation detected another small

ceramic site near the south end of Punta Miquillo, reported as RG-8.

A Stage II investigation was conducted at RG-5 at by Daub6n Vidal

(1990), followed by additional Stage n research (Daubon Vidal 1992), and a

separate Stage I study for a panoramic lake south of the peninsulaand part of

the Coco Beach development (Daubon Vidal 1996).

Further investigations were coducted at Site RG-5 by Gmz Aguilu and

Martfn (1999a). This investigation identified the remnants of a small village

site, approximately 750 m long by 100 m wide, on the highest portion of

Punta Miquillo .

•

r •

48

,

The site was 30 to 120 em deep and was partly impacted by a dirt road,

filling operations, and erosion. The site consisted primarily of ceramic shards

and marine shell, with very few lithic tools and no fish bones.

The ceramics at RG-5 are mostly Santa Elena (Elenan Ostionoid) and

Esperanza (Chieoid or Chican), with a limited presence of Cuevas (late

Saladoid) and Monserrate (early Elenan Ostionoid). The Cuevas and

Monserrate ceramic shards were observed primarily on the west side of the

site, on the beach on Punta Miquillo.

The 1999 investigation reported the erosion of the edge of the RG-5,

including fallen palm trees and ceramics on the shoreline. Carefully

comparing his own excavation with previous studies, Ortiz Aguilu concluded

that some of the positive test units excavated by Rodriguez Miranda{l989) at

RG-5, are actually under water.

In 1999, OrtIZ Aguilu and Marfn conducted a Stage ill investigation at

Sector 2, a.k.a. El Palmar, immediately south of Ensenada Comezon, detecting

prehistoric ceramics. This was identified as a shallow, impacted site,

approximately 20-30 em deep, and reported in ICP site files as RG-6.

Also in 1999, OrtIZ Aguilu, Sued Badillo and Marfn conducted a Stage IA

background literature search for Sector 3, a.k.a. Cerro Bravo, a 186-cuerda

.ri

[ 49

plot on the coastal hills SE of Ensenada Comez6n. This was followed by a

Stage IB field investigation, detecting three small ceramic deposits (approx.lO

x 20 m in diameter) towards the west end of the plot, and a larger ceramic

midden (60 x 25 m) towards the east (OrtIZ Aguil6 and Marfn 2000). , It is evident that Punta Miquillo and the surrounding lowlands and hills

were occupied by prehistoric peoples, who certainly navigated the EspIritu

Santo River and the Ensenada Comez6n in their logout canoes.

The environmental history of Punta Miquillo is far more complex and

dynamic than the terrestrial archaeologists have considered. There is little

doubt that the peninsula of Punta Miquillo was formed between two rivers:

Espiritu Santo on the west side and a smaller stream on the east side.

The existence of this second river is evidenced by the actual creek known

today as Caiio de Rodriguez and Caiio de las Perchas in the 19th century. The

entrance to Ensenada Comez6n is not the product of 1960's dredging, but

rather is a flooded river channel or paleo-river which originally cut across the

eolianite dunes. The strongest evidence for this scenario are two submarine

canyons off Punta Miquillo, one directly off the mouthy of the Espiritu Santo

River and another directly off Ensenada Comez6n (Pease, Ir. and Briggs

1972). These canyons are signatures of paleo-rivers flooded by the rising sea

n 1101

r 50

level. A careful look at the geologic map (ibid.)indicates that the second river I

• ; ran parallel to Punta Miquillo and then veered NNE.

Seven thousand years ago, sea level was about -10 m, and the eolianite

ridges that surround Punta Miquillo would have been dry land. Preceramic

sites may be found in the vicinity of this paleo-river. These potential offshore

submerged preceramic sites, however, are beyond the area of potential adverse

effects of the proposed projects .

•

r 51

t •

10 ,

I 100

................. . ' '. ~ '. , ~

~ . . ~

t" •.•• "., ....

I \

.... / ........ . . . I ~

I ~

! \ I \

I , /' ,~ ~ . . ' .. '

-- .' 150~'~ MJd·_WfIClOlllln ~11on~ LIlt Wisconsin Rttrellion ~

50

Figure 15. Generalized eustatic sea level curve for the last 40,000 years (Komar 1976). Approximately 18,000 years ago, sea level dropped to nearly l30 m below present level, connecting the main island of Puerto Rico to Vieques, Culebra and all the U.S. and British Virgin Islands except St. Croix. By 7,000 BP, a moderate estimate for the beginning of human migration 'into the NE Caribbean, sea level was about -10 m. This data, combined with actual submerged archaeological sites discovered by the author off San Juan and Carolina, indicate the possibility of submerged prehistoric sites off and perhaps inside Ensenada Comez6n.

52

Figure 16. Approximate coastline of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands during the Pleistocene. The paleo-island of Puerto Virgen extended from Cabo Rojo to Anegada. Notice that the insular shelf was dry land at this time.

53

)

•

• I

r

Figure 17. Historic illustration depicting construction of Caribbean aboriginal canoes (in Robiou Lamarche 1993) .

54