Jay Haviser

My name is Dr. Jay Haviser. I'm an archaeologist in St. Maarten right now, but I've been an archaeologist for the Dutch islands for 40 years, working on all of the Dutch islands. Here in Saba, we've been working for quite a while since the early '80s.

As a child, I loved archaeology. Archaeology — it's kind of funny because people think of it as dusty old artifacts and things like that. But in fact, archaeology is the way to make people aware of where they came from, in such a way that they can form a basis of understanding themselves now.

I started my first archaeological survey of Saba in 1983. And in that survey, we were able to locate different heritage sites on the island and record them. I’ve founded three youth-and-science foundations: one in Bonaire, one in St Maarten, and one called Sabarc here on Saba, which was founded in 2012. What these programs do is they put an emphasis on doing scientific heritage research, but involving local youth, particularly 14- to 18-year-olds. Our goal is that in the long term, we want more Sabans to consider heritage sciences for careers, because we need more Sabans to be heritage researchers on Saba, and on Bonaire, and on St. Maarten. The idea is to try to get more local youth and the population involved in their own heritage research.

There are different types of programs that we do. For example, the documentation of the largest trees, we call them heritage trees. These are trees that are over a meter in diameter. We go out with the kids, we take a GPS reading, we take a photograph, we describe the circumstances and the health of the tree, and then we compile a map of where all of these heritage trees are on the island. These maps are then turned over to the government, and when they are issuing planning permits and development permits, they now have passed laws to protect these bigger trees.

Another example where archaeology is really directly in assistance: These old houses that we have here on Saba are very unique, very special, beautiful old homes. Hurricane after hurricane, these old houses are still here. Those modern block buildings that were built elsewhere, they get knocked over. But these old houses survive, and you know why? The archaeology has shown us that when you look at the construction techniques of these old houses, they use peg construction instead of nail construction in many of these old houses. When you have a peg that sticks two beams together, it gives with the wind, it will be a bit flexible. And that simple technology, which we find out through archaeological research and historical research, that simple technology is proof of sustainable architecture on this island.

I love Saba — I have to say that. From the deepest part of my heart, I truly love Saba, because it is special in its uniqueness.