JNHT - Established 1958

Guidelines for Archaeological Research in Jamaica

  1. All persons wishing to conduct archaeological research in Jamaica should contact the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT). Relevant Application Forms and related instructions may be obtained from the JNHT. Where there is one main project but several research papers /theses to be generated, a main proposal should be submitted together with a proposal for each individual research activity.
  2. The JNHT in considering each application must be satisfied in relation to the following:
    1. The status of the applicant; i.e. the individual must be from a non-profit educational institution.
    2. Competence of the directors of: (1) the project, (2) field operations, (3) finds processing, (4) conservation, (5) environmental research and physical anthropology.
    3. Adequacy of staff on the project.
    4. The applicant's ability and willingness to train local staff to be involved in the project.
    5. The applicant's financial ability to properly fulfil the excavation and conservation requirements of the project; and
    6. Any other factors considered by the JNHT to be relevant.
  3. In the event that the JNHT is satisfied that the factors in Paragraph 2. hereof have been fulfilled by the applicant, the JNHT may enter into a Contract with the applicant to oversee and monitor the applicant's archaeological research activities under the following conditions:
    1. The applicant should provide training for Jamaicans inclusive of field school training, with relevant Certificates being given on subjects covered and practical work done.
    2. The applicant should pay to the JNHT, certain administrative costs as determined by the JNHT.
    3. Copies of all logs, diaries, maps, catalogues, primary and secondary material, and sources generated by or used in research are to be deposited with the JNHT on a periodic basis to be agreed before hand.
    4. Copies of all photographs and slides (numbered, catalogued and described) are to be deposited with the JHNT on a periodic basis to be agreed before hand.
    5. The applicant should provide the JNHT with regular reports on the progress of excavations and the overall research project. The reporting schedule will be based on the individual project and will be agreed on before hand.

      N.B. Projects that will have field seasons of more than one month will usually be scheduled for monthly reports. Fieldwork will not be permitted to continue unless all documentation is submitted at the agreed date.

    6. The applicant will have total rights over his research material for up to three years after he has completed his excavations and research, after which the Jamaica National Heritage Trust will reserve the right to use and/or publish this material for the benefit of the Jamaican people.
    7. All artifacts recovered from these excavations remain the property of the respective owners of the excavation sites (where the land is owned by the Jamaican Government, the artifacts remain the property of the people of Jamaica). Therefore, after each excavation season, a final inventory of artifacts must be established. Permission must be obtained from the JNHT and the relevant owners of sites, for the removal of artifacts from the island in the event that further research on and conservation of the artifacts needs to be done by the applicant. These artifacts must be returned at an agreed date. Decision on removal will be made only after consultation with the Technical Director of Archaeology. Permission will be granted only in very exceptional cases.
    8. The JNHT, where possible, may provide accommodation at a cost to be determined by the JNHT.
    9. Where archaeological excavations are to be conducted, there must be at least one representative of the JNHT present at all times to monitor and assist in providing general, technical and logistic support. Where this representative is used in the execution of the work programme this cost must be borne by the applicant. In large projects additional JNHT staff may be necessary e.g. Finds and Conservation personnel.
    10. When a contract is entered into with the JNHT for archaeological research to be conducted in a designated area, research or excavation outside of the designated area is prohibited.
    11. All project proposals submitted to the Trust should have the following components:

      1. Project Objectives

        These must be fully defined and referenced to indicate clearly their relevance to Jamaican and International archaeological research issues and themes.

      2. Research Design

        A description and co-ordinate location of the site to be investigated must be given. A detailed presentation should be presented on survey, field, finds and conservation, and environmental and physical anthropological aspects. The Research Design should include equipment and human resource needs, project scheduling, and a detailed budget. The finds analysis schedule should take into account the need to integrate the collection into a National Inventory of objects, as defined in the Finds Manual of the Archaeological Division's Work Manual. Conservation of artifacts is normally done in Jamaica at the JNHT's Archaeology Division at a cost which is determined by the JNHT. Only bona fide conservators will be allowed to work on collections and their work will be closely monitored by the JNHT's Conservation Staff. Storage of artifacts will incur a cost for the purchasing of shelves, etc.
      3. A list of Participants in the project, their CV's, and a list of three Referees. At least one referee from the applicant's immediate Faculty Board should be submitted.
      4. Funding Proposals. Funding sources, amounts granted together with confirmatory letters are included under this heading and should be submitted.
      5. Permission to research on property which is not owned by the Jamaican Government. Copies of letters of permission from the relevant landowners to conduct research on their property. must be submitted.
    12. The costs to be paid to the JNHT in relation to the project are related to individual research papers. Each research person who will be writing a thesis/research paper from the project should be so noted. The costs will be calculated on the basis of individual research papers.
    13. Extension of the contractual periods will only be considered if the applicant can produce sound reasons why he/she is unable to complete the project within the agreed time.
    14. The JNHT will not enter into subsequent contracts with a previous applicant to conduct archaeological research until and unless the JNHT receives a written report on the previous phase/year's research, including copies of all primary documentation and bibliographies as indicated in Section 3 hereof, and a complete financial statement giving a breakdown of expenditure on for example, labour, transportation, food, vehicle repairs, gas, shipping, accommodation, and customs duties.

The Jamaica National Heritage Trust invites interested persons to contact us for further information.

Copyright 2005 Project Seven Development