Briefing: Where Bermuda’s first home was built

Very few parts of Bermuda’s 21 square miles have remained completely untouched for the last 400 years.

But since 2010 archeologists have been digging and delving into the island’s earliest history on Smith’s Island in St George’s Harbour.

They believe they have discovered the farm and household built by Bermuda’s first settlers; Christopher Carter, Edward Waters and Edward Chard, back in 1610.

And they have unearthed a timber-framed home complete with deep oven that could have belonged to Boaz Sharp and his nine American Indian slaves in the 1600s.

It is arguably one of the most exciting discoveries in Bermuda’s history and this summer a new exhibition outlining the findings made on Smith’s Island was opened at the World Heritage Centre in St George’s. 

It’s been a complicated and painstaking process, but here is what you need to know in a nutshell. 

Why is Smith’s Island important?

Smith’s Island is believed to be the spot where Bermuda’s first settlers set up a home and farm. Christopher Carter, Edward Waters and Edward Chard remained on the island when after the Sea Venture castaways left. The trio were tasked with ‘guarding’ the island while waiting for reinforcements to arrive from England. The geographic location of Smith’s Island – at the mouth of the harbour - would have been the ideal spot for Carter, Chard and Waters to spot ships approaching through the channel.

Who is involved in the archaeological project?

The initiative to explore Smith’s Island began in 2010. It has been spearheaded by Dr Michael Jarvis from the University of Rochester with the help of Bermudian historian Rick Spurling, other local groups and volunteers.

What have they found there?

They have uncovered two sites; firstly the ‘Three Kings’ House’ or Cotton Hole Bight, where Carter Chard and Waters grew crops and set up the first Bermudian homestead. And secondly the ‘Oven Site’ where Boaz Sharpe is believed to have lived in the 1600’s.

What did they find at the Three Kings’ House?

They unearthed a large, deep oven and a flat cut stone face deep in the undergrowth that could be the remnants of the trio’s homestead. The discovery of a feral hog’s tusk in the oven also suggests the cabin was occupied at around the time Carter, Waters and Chard were there.

What did they find at the Oven Site?

The Oven Site was found in 2010 and since then a chimney; hearth and oven have been fully revealed. The team also came across five worked chert flakes that had not been found in Bermuda before. The find suggests that the Oven Site could represent Boaz Sharpe’s household, which at the time of his death in 1707 was home to nine Native American slaves.

What happens next?

Dr Jarvis and his team from Rochester are hoping to return to Bermuda again next summer to continue their groundbreaking work. And no doubt they will be looking for Bermudians to volunteer.

What does the new exhibit at the World Heritage Centre show?

Numerous exhibits from this cutting edge project have been put on display in St George’s including the hog’s tusk found at the Three Kings’ House. There are also the remnants of bone and eggshells as well as pottery, broken bricks and mortar. The team of archaeologists also came across hooks, buckles and even an iron knife blade from the site.

Research: Simon Jones