The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal

Overview

The town of Port Royal is located at the mouth of Kingston Harbour in southeastern Jamaica. It was a major 17th-century English port city. A devastating earthquake in 1692 submerged much of the town under water and sand. Today, its terrestrial and underwater remains offer rare insights into urban colonial life. Once a key hub for transatlantic trade—including the trade of enslaved Africans—Port Royal featured a deep-water port and six defensive forts, some now submerged. Archaeological evidence reveals a well-preserved layout of residential, religious, and administrative buildings, serving as a distinctive marker of British colonial presence in the Caribbean.

Selection Criteria

(iv)

Components(1 location)

• •The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal1595rev

Details

Countries

Jamaica

ISO Codes

JM

Area

27 ha

Coordinates

17.9386, -76.8434