In close cooperation with NAAM and Leiden University

 Santa Barbara Plantation cooperates with archeological investigation on project site

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao (August 29, 2007) – Santa Barbara Plantation, the initiator of the project for the Hyatt Regency Curaçao, not start development of a specific site of specific archeological value until experts have finished their investigation. They have put funds available for this investigation to preserve their archeological findings for generations to come. Santa Barbara Plantation works together with a team of the University of Leiden (in The Netherlands) under the guidance of Professor Menno Hoogland and the local foundation NAAM (National Archeological and Anthropological Museum) for their expertise.

In 1987 the AAINA archeologist Dr. Jay Haviser from his own survey on the surface had concluded that there is an area along the Spanish Water lagoon where the early inhabitants had a settlement. On request of the owning company Santa Barbara Plantation in June this year professor Hoogland of the Leiden University did an additional survey. His conclusion was that this area is indeed of particular archeological value. Much of it has already disappeared, due to erosion along the waterside and in the overgrowth more land inwards. Therefore he advised to investigate the area more specifically before it is further developed.

Contacts were put based on the findings of the Dutch professor, which resulted in concrete arrangements between Santa Barbara and the University of Leiden and NAAM for the archeological excavation. It is anticipated that shells and other food remains as well as parts of tools of the early island inhabitants (the Arowak Indians) will result from the digging. Santa Barabara Plantation has put a considerable amount of money for these excavations.

In December professor Hoogland comes to Curaçao with a group of students to start with the excavations closely working together with NAAM and to make an inventory of the site. It is expected that these works will be finalized by mid next year. After having done their study and conservation of the objects they have come up with, these will be exposed in a sort of museum within the project.

For the time being, the developer will leave the part where the archeological excavations will take place out of the area where the development is planned of several luxurious villas as well as the vast 18 holes golf course of international standard. Till 2008 the development will go around that specific spot for the investigators to do their job. By doing so Santa Barbara Plantation contributes to the preservation of a part of the interesting history of Curaçao.

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For further information, contact:

David Pearson (david@davidpearsonassociates.com)

Joe Ramirez (joe@davidpearsonassociates.com)

David Pearson Associates

305-661.2009