Archaeologists Uncover 18th-Century Clues to British Rule in Florida After Spanish Reign
The city of St. Augustine -- featuring its ancient structures and imposing stone fortress -- stands as a lasting testament to Spain’s rich history in Florida, predating the existence of the United States by many generations. However, during the latter part of the 18th century, specifically over two decades, Great Britain held control of the area. Recently, archaeologists have unearthed some of the British occupation sites they had been searching for years. City archaeologists discovered a dry moat belonging to a British redoubt—a fortified military post—constructed in 1781 during their excavation efforts last autumn. The digging concluded recently within the Lincolnville district of the city, paving the way for the development of a new standalone house. During St. Augustine’s 20-year British occupation," explained city archaeologist Andrea White, "they constructed seven of these fortifications known as redoubts. However, none have been discovered through archaeolo...