In 1991, Earthwatch teams working with Drs. Richard Gould and Edward Harris at historic Fort Cunningham, Bermuda, uncovered two 38-ton and five 18-ton muzzle-loading guns, one of the greatest military-history discoveries ever found in the region. A decade later, Fort Cunningham is now part of a World Heritage Site, due in part to the important findings of Earthwatch volunteers.

In late 2000, Fort Cunningham, other fortifications at the east end of Bermuda, and the historic town of St. George's, were all named a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). The site was recognized for representing a significant period in history, from British settlement in the early 1600s to the 1950s. It includes the oldest standing British forts in the New World, and epitomizes Britain's overseas empire through the Industrial Revolution. Despite its excellent preservation, the site's designation as a WHS was by no means assured.

"The work of Earthwatch teams at Fort Cunningham was crucial in bringing attention to the forts and thus helping to lay the groundwork for their inclusion in this WHS," said Dr. Edward Harris, executive director of the Bermuda Maritime Museum. "Without the research carried under the Earthwatch flag and other projects by the Bermuda Maritime Museum on those sites, it is unlikely that they would have qualified, simply due to the lack of informed knowledge about them."

Earthwatch teams working with Dr. Richard Gould (Brown University) between 1985 and 2000 made significant discoveries at Fort Cunningham, in the Royal Naval Dockyard, and among nearby sunken ships, that contribute to the site's colorful history. The Bermuda Maritime Museum was instrumental in supporting this important work, and Harris was co-principal investigator for Earthwatch's The Guns of Bermuda project in 1991-2. In addition to the guns unearthed at Fort Cunningham, a distinctive, iron-clad Victorian fort, teams revealed that the walls were painted with false gun ports, fake vegetation, and geometric patterns. These elements are considered to be the earliest known example of military camouflage ever discovered.

"At the time we did our archaeological research at these sites, it was blatantly obvious that they had global historical significance," said Gould. "It was sometimes difficult, however, to persuade the Bermudian authorities of the need to preserve historic sites. WHS status for these sites essentially validates what we already knew about their significance and should provide a welcome boost for their preservation for the future."

Gould notes that even with WHS designation, the preservation of forts like Cunningham is not guaranteed. UNESCO does not provide resources for WHS sites, but designation does give impetus to draw public and private support for the site's preservation. Although the Royal Naval Dockyard is developed for tourism as the home of the Bermuda Maritime Museum, and historic sites are increasingly integrated into the local tourism industry, Fort Cunningham has not yet been restored or developed.

"I hope the WHS designation of Fort Cunningham will lead to greater awareness and investment, particularly by Bermudians, in the preservation of this important cultural resource," said Gould.

"This example points to the kind of successes we look forward to in integrating cultural resource preservation projects within the framework of our Conservation Program," said Jim Chiarelli, program director for social sciences at Earthwatch Institute. "Cultural and historical resources are every bit as non-renewable as natural resources and the sensible development and management of them is analogous in every way with that of their natural counterparts."

Building on the success in Bermuda and several other WHS Earthwatch has contributed to, Earthwatch is now supporting an archaeological project on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. This winter teams on French Fort on Mauritius will survey document early fortifications to encourage the establishment of a WHS on this idyllic tropical island.

For information on volunteering on the French Fort of Mauritius project, click here.

Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.