Renewal of partnership formed between AMMC and Florida Museum of Natural History. Present at the official signing were seated l to r: Alexander Flowers, Corporation Secretary AMMC, Dr. Keith Tinker, Director AMMC, Courtney Strachan, Chairman AMMC, Mr. Doug Jones, Beverley Sensbach and David Stedman of Florida Museum. Standing l to r: Dr. Michael Pateman, Senior Archeologist, AMMC, David Reed and Nancy Albury, Florida Museum and Kim Outten-Stubbs, Chief Curator, AMMC.
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Nassau, Bahamas - The Antiquities Monument and Museum Corporation
(AMMC) has renewed an agreement with the Florida Museum of Natural History re-establishing
a mutually beneficial relationship between the agencies.
The agreement is designed to assist in research,
management and curating of important cultural resources in The Bahamas. The
partnership resulted from recent discoveries and collections of Pleistocene and
Holocene fossil specimens found in blue holes and terrestrial caves from
throughout The Bahamas. The
collaboration comes at a time when historical finds from blue holes and
terrestrial caves have introduced new species and specimens to science. Experts
say the discoveries shed light on the evolution and extinction of vertebrates
in the Caribbean, the first arrival of humans in The Bahamas, and human effects
on plant and animal communities, among other research subjects.
The
Florida Museum is an internationally recognized research and educational
institution focused on natural and cultural resources in Florida and throughout
the Caribbean and is well equipped to assist local authorities in the
collection, analysis, study and conservation of archaeological and
paleontological sites and specimens.
In
return, AMMC will export select local specimens to the Florida Museum for short
and long-term loans. The long-term care of local specimens by the Florida
Museum greatly reduces the risk associated with keeping an entire collection in
one place.
Crocodile Fossil recovered from Sawmill Sink Blue Hole, Abaco, Photo credit: Nancy Albury
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“This
agreement aids us in our development of local expertise of the highest caliber
in order to respond responsibly and appropriately in the conservation and
preservation of our national resources,” said Director of AMMC, Dr. Keith
Tinker, who believes that the new deal increases the country’s chances of
exploring new historic sites.
“Over
time, other significant archeological and paleontological discoveries could
occur in The Bahamas,” Dr. Tinker explained.
Courtney
Strachan, Chairman of the AMMC point out that the agreement paves the way for
relevant training and educational opportunities for Bahamians. He contends that
the agreement is “symbolic of the spirit of mutual understanding and goodwill
that exist” between the Antiquities Monument and Museum Corporation and the
Florida Museum of Natural History.
Tortoise Fossil recovered from Sawmill Sink Blue Hole, Abaco, Photo credit: Nancy Albury
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