St. Maarten Archaeological Centre Simarc students removed the final artefacts from the hurricane-wrecked Simarc office in Madame Estate on Saturday. The artefacts are now stored in two containers that serve as the Centre’s temporary office. Some 85 per cent of the artefact collection was salvaged through this emergency rescue effort, said Simarc Director Jay Haviser. There are two levels of significance for this rescue work: protection of the national patrimony artefact collection and the direct active involvement of local youth in leading the rescue efforts. Funds from Prince Bernhard Culture Funds Caribbean Region as well as donations from Gemini Contractors and others aided in the effort. The next step is to find a new facility for the Simarc collection and for the continuity of the Simarc Youth and Heritage programme.
