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Aruban ceramics sites Episode CCLXXIV- 274
Etnia Nativa offers a unique native experience oppor-
tunity that blends education and entertainment. Inter-
act with our exclusive team accessing a private facil-
ity and touring a beautiful property made with reused
materials collected by its concept developer, top
columnist, avocational archaeologist, and island`s
cultural expert. Book your visit and dive deep into the
navel of Aruba.
During this episode, we will share a bit about the ce-
ramics sites of the island. These sites contain archaeo-
logical features of national and international impor-
tance of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that we con-
sider best represent our natural heritage in terms of
ethnic origins and iconic cultural values.
Aruba has fifty-eight locations accepted; areas classi-
fied as Ceramic Period Sites, which had an open heart
burning during the Ceramic Period (ca. 1000–1515
AD). While two stone exploitation sites were probably
used in an epoch before by a pre-Ceramic period
people who should be included in this time frame. We six sites that are considered to be Co- decorated pottery. All these sites are
should also consider the ceramic period sites contain- lonial Amerindian Period sites. Primar- now under the tread and menace of
ing colonial artifacts of great importance. There are ily within the archaeological record being developed with housing and
are three sites: Tanki Flip, east Aruba; commercial projects.
Santa Cruz Island, central Aruba; and
Savaneta at coastal southwest Aruba. Aruba`s cultural heritage is constantly
These sites are situated more or less on threatened by many external and in-
one straight line to each other within ternal risks and elements. In order to
6.8 km between Tanki Flip and Santa preserve and use cultural heritage
Cruz and 8 km between Santa Cruz sites, objects, collections, or architec-
and Savaneta. Surface finding and ex- tural heritage, one is required to be
cavation production in the subsoil of continuously aware of and manage
these sites suggest all three were large numerous threats to prevent the loss
permanent inhabitant villages by gen- of this heritage and its attributed cul-
erations during considerable periods tural value. Being in responsible unison
of time. with other institutes, organizations, and
amateurs for the preservation of Dutch
Excavations between 1974 and 1976 Island cultural heritage, the Cultural
yielded hundreds of postholes and Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
other features, and Santa Cruz and (RCE) is well aware of this. The RCE im-
Savaneta, respectively, 500 postholes plements policy, provides advice, and
and other features. Tanki Flip was ex- develops knowledge in order to carry
cavated in 1995; excavations on the out its mission.
north part of this site resulted in the find-
ing of larger oval structures and smaller
round ones. Such quantity of the post- If you liked our native stories and are
hole concentrations suggested long interested in diving deeper into learn-
periods of permanent inhabitation. ing the true identity of Aruba, a visit
These are the three large villages, to Etnia Nativa would be a fantastic
and only two sites are classified in the choice. We have been a trendsetting
medium category: Tanki Lendert and entity since 1994, as a co-founder of
Parkitenbos West. The extent and den- projects such as Arikok National Park,
sity of finds are considerable but less the Archaeological Museum, and the
than the three earlier discussed sites. Artisan Foundation, among others. Ev-
They are interpreted as permanent ery week, this newspaper shares our
settlements for at least some decades valuable knowledge. Don’t miss the
by a considerable population. opportunity to feel the island’s spirit
Parkitenbos West is an exception with- through our real stories that are not just
in the group of 5 large/relatively large remembered; they resonate, they’re
terrains. This site only yielded undeco- felt, and they stir souls to the bone.
rated, coarse pottery up to now. All Book your visit: WhatsApp +297 592
four other sites show evidence of ap- 2702 etnianativa03@gmail.comq
preciable quantities of Dabajuroid-
