Azua.– The archaeological project “Following the remains of cacique Enriquillo” has so far recorded the discovery of 13 human remains as part of the scientific work being carried out in the ruins of Pueblo Viejo, as a result of a scientific process that continues more than 10 years of historical, documentary and archaeological research sponsored by the Macarrulla Foundation.
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“In two weeks we have many bodies that are complete. At this moment, as of today, we have 13. And we have many that are scattered from previous excavations. So we keep finding. More have been found today,” revealed Martínez.
He stated that it is still premature to speak of general findings because the archaeological work is in progress and informed that the corresponding DNA tests will be carried out on the skeletal remains that are found, in accordance with international protocols. He announced that for such purposes, they have identified a laboratory in the Dominican Republic that performs them and will have a meeting to evaluate the possibility of doing them on national territory. Martínez explained that the excavations involve the controlled opening of archaeological cuts and a meticulous process of recording the stratigraphic layers, which allows for the scientific documentation of both the structure of the church and the levels in which the skeletal remains appear. He pointed out that the team works in parallel in the field and in analysis tasks, filling out technical sheets that describe each stratum and each finding, with the aim of offering a rigorous scientific explanation of the site. He also highlighted that the project includes the transfer of knowledge to Dominican professionals and the application of methodologies and technologies used in internationally recognized excavations, which will allow the results to be presented and evaluated in academic spaces both nationally and internationally. From her side, the project’s executive director, Lidia Martínez de Macarrulla, highlighted that the works are not limited to the search for the remains of the cacique Enriquillo, but encompass the integral enhancement of the archaeological site of Pueblo Viejo and the historical ruins. “Our country has never seen such professional archaeological work as the one being done today. That is, we are setting a precedent and we want this to continue, because I understand that our country could have a broader cultural offer than what it has really shown until these years. So we are seeing hope. I think there is a lot of enthusiasm. The people of Pueblo Viejo themselves have integrated into our work and are also happy and hopeful that the cacique Enriquillo will appear,” he said.Laboratory tests and genetic analysis
In this stage of the project, work is progressing on the completion of forensic anatomical and anthropological studies to determine the sex, age, and height of the individual. These are carried out directly at the site and are in charge of the Spanish archaeologist and forensic anthropologist Víctor Barrera Alrcón. Genetic or DNA studies, which are carried out in specialized laboratories, will also be conducted. The scientific team is evaluating the possibility of conducting these studies in laboratories in the Dominican Republic, provided they comply with the international protocols required for this type of research.You may be interested in: International experts reactivate excavations in Azua to locate the remains of cacique Enriquillo
Barrera pointed out that to complement stratigraphy, the main dating criterion in archaeology, as it allows identifying which remains correspond to older or more recent levels, this could be complemented with carbon 14 studies in those cases where it is necessary to strengthen the scientific rigor of the investigation. Regarding the process they are carrying out, Barreras explained: “Our work here consists of the exhumation of the remains and their biological study. Therefore, what we will do is determine the sex, height, and age of all individuals, and then take samples for the genetic study, the DNA study. What will be done is a study of ancient DNA, of mitochondrial DNA. What does that mean? That what we are really looking for is affiliation. If those people, these people we are excavating, have a more characteristic DNA of Europe, more characteristic of the Caribbean zone, what we want to do is determine populations to which each of them can be ascribed,” he explained. When asked if it will be possible to accurately determine if one of the remains found at the site is the cacique Enriquillo, because he had no known descendants, Barrerras replied: “It can be determined, since we have several pieces of evidence, we have several data regarding his ergonomics, that is, regarding his height, regarding his age. If we add to this a 100% Caribbean DNA, a very high Taíno percentage, we can begin to determine that one of the individuals we can find in these ruins is the cacique Enriquillo.” In this phase, the works are also supported by the General Directorate of Strategic and Special Projects of the Presidency (PROPEEP).
