Plans are in high gear for the 2007 conference of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeologists (IACA) to be held in Kingston from July 23-29. The Jamaica National Heritage Trust is expecting over 300 delegates from across the region to attend the conference which is to have its first ever staging on the island.

Head of IACA Dr. Jay Haviser visited the island recently to tour and get a first hand view of the facilities available to delegates of the conference. In a meeting with the Executive Director of the JNHT Mrs. Laleta Davis-Mattis and members of the conference planning committee, Mr. Haviser expressed satisfaction at the preparations so far, noting that he was impressed with the amount of work that has been done.

Hr. Haviser toured the Jamaica Conference Centre and its surroundings, the New Kingston area, the University of the West Indies as well as Port Royal and Seville Heritage Park – all places where the delegates will be visiting.

Dr. Haviser noted that this IACA conference presents a good opportunity for the delegates to come see what Jamaica has to offer in terms of archaeological developments.

Dr. Jay Haviser (left), head of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeologists (IACA) with executive director of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Mrs. Laleta Davis-Mattis and Mr. Roderick Ebanks, chair of the IACA 2007 Planning Committee. The parties met recently to discuss the plans for the staging of the 2007 IACA Conference in Jamaica.

Over 100 papers have so far been received from overseas delegates. Among the topics up for discussion this year is the ‘Archaeology of Enslavement, Abolition and Emancipation’ which is in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Transatlantic Trade in Africans for the English speaking Caribbean.

IACA is the premier regional body that promotes archaeological research in the Caribbean and at their last meeting in July 2005, the delegates overwhelmingly agreed that Jamaica should host the next conference.

The Association began hosting its conferences in 1961 in Martinique and since then has convened 21, the most recent being in Trinidad and Tobago. Founded in 1961, IACA has since its inception sought to actively promote regionally based archaeological research and international academic interaction in the field of Caribbean archaeology. Among the principal interests of IACA are Caribbean pre-historic and historic period archaeology, terrestrial and marine archaeology, public education in archaeology, the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, the ethics of archaeological inquiry and the protection of sites and cultural objects of the past.

The body has as its objectives the fostering of the exchange of information about Caribbean archaeology while at the same time showcasing the rich diversity of the Caribbean’s cultural and archaeological heritage. In addition, it is hoped that this will contribute to Caribbean unity and integration and to the production and promotion of a uniquely Caribbean heritage tourism product.

For further information contact:
Andrea Braham/ Roderick Ebanks
922-1287-8/922-3990