Page 11 - HOH

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local Tuesday 5 sepTember 2023

Aruba’s Bocas: home to the rarest fossil reefs on the planet!

(Oranjestad)—If you’ve faculty at the University of to fluctuating sea levels or These findings can certainly This research is also im-
been to the northern coast Bremen, Prof. dr. Alessio extreme weather, like hur- put things into perspective. portant for the future of
of Aruba already, you’ve Rovere from the Ca' Fosc- ricanes and tsunamis. The ground on which we coral reefs on the island.
probably noticed how the ari University of Venice and have walked many times By studying rising sea lev-
ground differs entirely from Prof. dr. Gianfranco Scic- Through underwater and in the northern part of the els and climate impact on
the sandy beaches on the chitano, from the University land surveillance, and 3D island hold such rich history, these coral reefs, we are
southern part of the island. of Bari Aldo Moro, present- models of the reefs, they history that dates back to able to take concrete ac-
These hard surfaces, with ed their research on these were able to narrow down a time that most of us can- tion in protecting and pre-
sharp bumps and holes fossilized coral reefs at the when these formations not even imagine. As the serving our coral reefs. So, if
are actually fossilized coral University of Aruba. started to take place. They scientists themselves have you are ever visiting one of
reefs, of which its growth were also able to track the pointed out, these fossilized the bocas or driving along
and changes can be Their focus for their re- fluctuation of sea levels reefs on the windward side the northern part of the is-
traced back to the last gla- search included studying during the past hundred or are truly an incredible and land, please be conscious
cial period. the health and formation even thousands of years, rare remnant of geologi- to help protect our natural
patterns of these coral and the effects that this cal history, as they provide historical remnant. Oh, and
On May 30 2023, geosci- reefs, and to investigate fluctuation has had on the a clear view of how these wear (coral-friendly) sun-
entists, Dr. Patrick Boyden how these reefs have re- coral reefs of the windward reefs have formed. screen! q
from the Marum research sponded and can respond side of Aruba.

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

(Oranjestad)—Located in That’s right, the iconic
the middle of downtown 5-story, squared tower was
Oranjestad, situated right not part of the original
next to the government structure of the fort, and
building “Cocolishi”, is one is actually called “Willem
of the oldest buildings of III Toren”. Constructed in
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First 1867, this tower was named
constructed in 1796, this after the then-reigning king
site has been used (or left of The Netherlands, Willem
unused) in many ways and III. Willem III Toren was origi-
have survived eras of war nally a light tower, but after
and attempted disman- a request from Lieutenant
tling. Governor Jan Helenus in
1866, it also became a bell
When anyone refers to Fort tower.
Zoutman, they are actu- The fort itself was originally
ally referring to two sepa- constructed to protect
rate buildings that, over the the commerce bay of characters roaming the office. For some time these social culture of the town
years, have been merged: Paardenbaai from pirates Caribbean Sea. Unlike the two buildings also housed came to be. If you are in-
the fort and the tower. and other disreputable Willem III Toren, Fort Zout- a police precinct and jail, terested in history and want
man had a more tumul- and even experienced to learn more about Aruba,
tuous past, including the abandonment until the Cul- then Fort Zoutman should
on-and-off reception of tural Center Aruba Founda- definitely be included into
unwanted members of the tion (CCA) petitioned for its your itinerary.
English military several times renovation in 1964, turning
(The Netherlands was at the site into the Historic Mu- The museum is open Mon-
constant war with England seum it currently is. day to Friday from 9am-
back in the colonial era). Despite its small size, The 6pm, and Saturday from
Over the years, both the Historic Museum guards a 10am-2pm.
fort and the tower had rich depository of the com-
functioned as different mercial, military and social Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
government center points, history of Oranjestad, offer- by Jan Hartog.
including a tax and stamps ing a glance into how the