Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2007

Department

Archaeology

Abstract

The close of the American Revolution signalled the beginning of Bermuda’s role as a naval dockyard and it was at that time that plans were made for strengthening island defences. While there are many surviving examples of 19th-century fortification, there are fewer remains of older permanent fortifications and even less is known of the impermanent field positions constructed by the local population. Fort Bruere, a small fascined fort on a hilltop in Tucker’s Town, is one such fort for which little is known historically and for which archaeological excavation has the potential to provide additional information on what is one of the last truly Bermudian forts. Archaeological and documentary research serves to identify the site as a unique surviving example of a rare type of Bermudian fortification undeserving of its contemporary description. In a larger perspective the investigation contributes to our understanding of the development of fortifications in Bermuda during the transitional period between the close of the American Revolution and the arrival of the Royal Navy.

Comments

This article was originally published in Bermuda Journal of Archaeology and Maritime History, 18: 33-65. © 2007 Bermuda Maritime Museum. Reproduced with permission.

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