Photo of Kasike Kalaan Nibonrix (Chief of the Jamaican Taínos)

White Marl Site, Central Village, Jamaica

Public Archaeology, Indigenous Heritage, and Afro-Jamaican Identity at the White Marl Site, Central Village, Jamaica

The Center for Heritage & Archaeological Studies, the Department of Anthropology, and the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America held an event on Sept 18, 2024: “Public Archaeology, Indigenous Heritage, and Afro-Jamaican Identity at the White Marl Site, Central Village, Jamaica.” Peter Siegel (Anthropology), Kasike Kalaan Nibonrix (Chief of the Jamaican Taínos), and Zachary Beier (Senior Archaeologist with Chronicle Heritage) discussed the significance of the White Marl archaeological site and how this heritage resource is important to local community members and descendants of the original Indigenous occupants. The future of White Marl is uncertain owing to proposed plans to widen a highway that bisects the site. Siegel, Kalaan, and Beier addressed potential measures that could be taken to mitigate or minimize adverse effects to this crucially important heritage site.